Visitors flocked to Kew Gardens in southwest London to witness the infrequent bloom of the titan arum, known for its foul odour resembling rotting flesh, lasting only 48 hours. The event attracted thousands of curious onlookers, with Kew Gardens staff aiding in its pollination for conservation efforts.
Visitors to Kew Gardens in southwest London gathered to witness the rare blooming of the titan arum, also known as the corpse flower, on Tuesday. The plant, notable for its potent stench resembling rotting flesh, flowers roughly once every two years and is celebrated for its sizable flowering structure, which can reach up to 10 feet tall. The bloom, housed in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, is a significant attraction, drawing thousands of visitors within the short 48-hour period it remains in bloom.
On Tuesday, Kew Gardens extended its hours to accommodate the influx of visitors eager to see and smell the flower. By Wednesday, the intense odor had already begun to wane but still drew substantial crowds. Science journalist Marnie Chesterton, who visited on Wednesday, reported on the heightened excitement and noted the diminishing but still potent smell of the flower.
Native to Sumatra’s rainforests and endangered due to deforestation, the corpse flower’s bloom is an event of both botanical and public interest. The Kew Gardens staff contributed to the pollination of the plant, which is essential for its conservation efforts.
For those interested in the science behind such unique floral events, BBC Radio 4’s Inside Science covered Marnie Chesterton’s report on the phenomenon.
