World’s smelliest plant blooms at McMaster
Greenhouse technician Art Yeas measures 'Phoebe', McMaster's corpse plant, in bloom now at the Biology Greenhouse.
Can you smell that?
The world’s smelliest flower is in bloom at McMaster’s Biology Greenhouse.
The Amorphophallus Titanum – better known as the corpse plant – is only expected to be in bloom for up to three days.
It’s just the third known flowering of the plant in Canada, and it may not bloom again for another 10 years.
The rare plant has reached a height of five feet, six inches and a diameter of three and a half feet. It grew out of a 50-pound corm planted late last year.
The corpse plant gets its name from the pungent, rotting flesh-like odour it emits to attract pollinators like carrion beetles and flesh flies.
The Greenhouse will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. for visitors to see the rare sight. Admission is by donation.
