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A ‘Stinky’ Wonder: Cornell’s Titan Arum ‘Wee Stinky’ to Blossom Tonight
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Although the scent of damp, dense, greenery is overwhelming, it is the rotten fish smell that overpowers your nostrils. As you step closer, the monstrous spadix and purple flower come into view matching the pungent aroma that has overtaken the forest. What living species could possibly have such dramatic characteristics? Native to the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, Amorphophallus titanum, commonly called the titan arum, has the largest unbranched flowering structure of any plant. From a seedling, it takes about eight to 10 years for the plant to reach the size at which it blooms. This plant is known for its theatrical and malodorous blooming.