The nauseating odor of rotting flesh isn’t something we usually associate with flowers… 

Until now!

Ever heard of the Corpse Flower? It’s a very large, very smelly, and very rare plant that’s native to Western Indonesia. In the middle of the jungle, there aren’t many noses around to offend… but as a resident of a number of botanical gardens around the world, it creates a mighty stink for all to enjoy when it blooms.

When that happens – only once every 3 to 10 years – the event often attracts long lines of gawkers (including yours truly) who can’t wait to get a whiff of what all the excitement’s about… and maybe even get a picture with it!

The large and impressive Corpse Flower has a scientific name that is potentially NSFW… and also, apparently, not safe for British TV. Its actual Latin name is Amorphophallus titanum – that’s right, “gigantic shapeless penis.” David Attenborough found its true name too scandalous to repeat on television and thoughtfully protected the delicate sensibilities of the BBC viewing public by giving it an alternative (and less shocking) name of Titan arum.

The Corpse Flower developed its gut-churning stench as a way of attracting pollinators – flies and beetles who think they’re getting a carrion buffet. To make sure the disgusting (or enticing, if you’re a fly or beetle) odor is spread as far and wide as possible, the temperature of the plant rises to nearly 100 degrees F when it blooms, propelling the scent molecules up into the air as the warmth rises.

As if the smell weren’t enough… once in bloom, the inside of the flower itself is a lurid maroon color similar to the color of rotting flesh. Pretty sneaky, right? By the time the flies and beetles figure out they’ve been tricked, they’ve already pollinated the plant. So long, suckers!

“Some of the molecules responsible for the Corpse Flower’s aroma include dimethyl trisulfide (limburger cheese), trimethylamine (rotting fish), and isovaleric acid (sweaty socks).”

Here in Pittsburgh, we’re lucky enough to have two corpse flowers at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden. In honor of our own beloved George Romero, father of the modern zombie movie and expert on rotting flesh, the bigger and older plant was christened “Romero.” Romero’s little sister, who just bloomed last year, is named Barbara… and if you’re a Night of the Living Dead fan, you know exactly where that name came from!

George Romero poses with his namesake!

Romero (the Plant) last bloomed in August 2013. Because the flower only lasts from about 12 to 48 hours before it withers away, anxious fans (me included) watched with bated breath for Facebook updates from Phipps, waiting for the announcement that Romero had unleashed its full glory.

When the call finally came one evening at around 8 pm, we dropped everything and headed posthaste to the Conservatory, which was open until 2 am with themed adult beverages and commemorative Romero merchandise for this special occasion. The line was over an hour long, snaking in and out of the various rooms of the Conservatory, ending in the central Palm Room where Romero held court to the delight of most visitors.

The closer we got, the more intense the smell, which was hard to describe… perhaps a combination of summertime garbage, dirty diapers, finely aged roadkill, and opening a fully loaded chest freezer two weeks after the motor died (trust me on that one).

Was it worth it? Hell yes.

If you love the idea of a flower that emanates the overwhelming smell of rotting flesh — and, really, who doesn’t? – click here to read some fun facts about the incredible stomach-churning Corpse Flower at MentalFloss.com!