A rare corpse flower has bloomed in Sydney for the first time in over a decade, drawing thousands of visitors eager to witness its striking petals and infamous stench. The flower, affectionately named Putricia, a play on the words putrid and Patricia, unfurled at the Royal Botanic Garden, marking an extraordinary event for plant enthusiasts and the general public alike.
Scientifically known as Amorphophallus titanum, the corpse flower is native to Indonesia, where it is called bunga bangkai, meaning corpse flower due to its powerful odor that resembles rotting flesh. The plant is recognized for its enormous size, with crimson, fluted petals that can spread over a meter wide, and a towering central stalk that can reach three meters in height.
This fascinating species is known for its rare blooming cycle, which occurs only once every few years, lasting for just one day. The last time a specimen bloomed in Sydney was in 2010, making this event a highly anticipated occasion.
As news of Putricia’s impending bloom spread, crowds began gathering at the Royal Botanic Garden. On Thursday, as the petals slowly unfurled, the garden extended its opening hours until midnight to accommodate the growing number of visitors. Some waited for up to three hours to catch a glimpse—and a whiff—of the elusive bloom.
Dr. Brett Summerell, chief scientist at Sydney’s Botanic Gardens, explained the flower’s peculiar appeal. “The fact that it’s so huge, takes so long to bloom, and smells so foul really attracts people to it,” he said, comparing the stench to that of a dead possum.
Among the visitors was Sydney resident Rebecca McGee-Collett, who patiently waited 90 minutes to experience the event. While she admired the flower’s striking appearance, she described the scent as “like hot garbage.”
Despite its unpleasant aroma, the corpse flower’s rarity and spectacle captivate plant lovers worldwide. As this remarkable bloom fades, visitors will have to wait several more years before another corpse flower graces Sydney with its unique and pungent presence once again.
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