Stinking flower to attract hundreds in Basel
A gigantic specimen of the world’s largest - and most malodorous - flowering plant is expected to bloom this week in Basel.
The flower, a titan arum, is expected to attract hundreds of visitors keen to inspect its unusual height and odour of rotting flesh.
Progress on the expected blooming and growth of the plant is reported daily on the website of the Basel Botanical Garden, and includes stills from a webcam taken every ten minutes.
Currently, the plant is 180 centimeters high and is expected to reach its “peak” on Thursday. Its germination dates back to 1993, the Basel Botanical Garden said.
Colloquially known as the corpse flower, the plant derives its less-than-flattering nickname from its distinct odour, reminiscent of decomposing flesh. The plant is endemic in western Sumatra and can be found in botanic gardens around the world, including in Bonn, Germany.
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