A foul-smelling ‘Corpse Flower’ is in bloom at Kew Gardens – but only for 48 hours

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Ailis Brennan11 October 2018

A three metre tall, foul-smelling plant nicknamed the ‘Corpse Flower’ has begun to stink out Kew Gardens – but it will only last for 48 hours.

The Titan Arum – which has earned its unflattering nickname thanks to its odour akin to rotting flesh – has just bloomed inside the Princess of Wales conservatory, emitting the stench for which it is famed.

In recent days, the plant has grown at a rate of 10 centimetres a day to reach three metres in height, before splitting open to reveal a red interior and a nauseating pong which Kew Gardens says will last for 48 hours.

“It’s is the biggest and smelliest one I’ve ever seen or smelt in my 16 years at Kew,” said Nurseries Manager Lara Jewitt. “We are extremely proud of it. A real stinker!”

This example of the flower, which is native to Sumatra in Indonesia, currently weighs 118 kilograms, and this bloom has broken its record height, which was previously 2.5m.

The flower arrived at Kew Gardens back in the late 19th century, blooming for the first time in 1889.

For more information, visit kew.org.uk

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