The idea of a huge blooming  flower that smells like rotting flesh may not be everyone’s cup of tea but for the people of Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary and Garden of Peria in the Wayanad district it marked a historic success. For the first time in India the Amorphophallus Titanum also known as Titan Arum, a plant native to the rainforests of Sumatra in Indonesia, has bloomed for the first time after almost 9 years of tender care. Classified as a ‘vulnerable species’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature this plant is the largest unbranched flowering plant in the world.

Hundreds of people flocked to the Botanical Sanctuary to see this rare event. The flower itself lasts a mere 48 hours before collapsing until it’s next blooming cycle. Conservationist Suma Keloth has been around to watch the plant grow from its infancy and was thrilled to see its final form. Keloth told The Hindu that the foul odour that the plant emits can be attributed to the fact that the Titan Arum cannot self-pollinate. As such the stench, coupled with its fleshy red colour, attracts sweat bees and carrion beetles that aid in pollination. While unappetising this process is absolutely fascinating to watch and is a testament to the marvels of the natural world and although the plant is unlikely to flower again any time soon it is definitely a sight worth seeing.

Check Out This Video by the Chicago Botanic Garden to view the plant’s short Blooming Cycle

 Featured Image Courtesy: mediaindia.eu

Words: Shireen Jamooji