Australians respond to the smell of flowering plants

Almost 20,000 people visited the Sydney Botanic Gardens to catch a glimpse of the endangered plant known as the “corpse flower” when it was in bloom.

The Titan Arum plant, named Putisia, emits a putrid smell, similar to “something rotten” or “hot garbage” within 24 hours after flowering.

The smell is the result of chemical production that takes place in the plant to attract pollinators.

The endangered flower – native to Sumatra, Indonesia – blooms in the wild for only 7-10 years. It is believed that there are less than 1,000 plants worldwide, including those in cultivation.