Rare Corpse Flower Draws Thousands to Sydney Botanic Garden with Its Unforgettable Stench

AUAustralia|

A rare and notorious plant, known as the corpse flower, has bloomed at the Royal Sydney Botanic Garden, attracting large crowds eager to experience its infamous smell. Officially named Amorphophallus titanum, the flower emits a stench likened to that of rotting flesh, though some visitors have described the odor as resembling rotting food, sweaty socks, or garlic.

After a seven-year wait since its arrival, the corpse flower gained significant attention when its flower spike, which rose to an impressive 1.6 meters tall, began to open. Over the past week, thousands of admirers — up to 20,000 in total — queued for the chance to see the bloom and experience its distinctive fragrance.

In anticipation of the flower's opening, which occurred on January 23, staff humorously considered providing vomit bags to visitors, acknowledging the plant's "deadly" scent. However, they ultimately decided against it, with spokesperson Sophie Daniel reporting that no one was harmed during the event. Dubbed "Putricia" by fans, a combination of "putrid" and "Patricia," the plant has become a sensation on social media, generating nearly a million views on its 24/7 live stream leading up to the bloom.

The blooming of the corpse flower is a rare event, lasting only one to three days, despite the plant taking up to a decade to flower. Native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, Amorphophallus titanum is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, making its rare blooming even more significant.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from Australia

Australian Man Describes Torturous Experience in Chinese Prison

An Australian man, Matthew Radalj, has recounted his nearly five-year ordeal in a Chinese prison, detailing extreme physical and psychological abuse. Radalj, who was sentenced after a 2020 altercation regarding a mobile phone screen, claims he was forced to sign a false confession due to the nation's 100% conviction rate, as reported by the BBC. Upon his arrest, Radalj endured severe maltreatment, including two days of beatings without food or sleep. His confinement in Beijing No. 2 prison entailed living in a filthy, overcrowded cell along with other international inmates, and facing constant sleep deprivation and forced labor. According to Radalj, the food served was mostly inadequate, often consisting of cabbage in dirty water. He also disclosed a “good behaviour points system” that prisoners could navigate to reduce their sentences, which he described as manipulative and psychologically torturous. After being released in October 2024, Radalj has started rebuilding his life, expressing ongoing concerns for other inmates he left behind.
AUAustralia

Australian Man Reveals Detainee Horror After Five Years in Chinese Prison

Matthew Radalj, an Australian citizen, has come forward about his harrowing experience of spending five years in Beijing's No. 2 prison, where he endured inhumane conditions, including sleep deprivation, forced labor, and psychological torture. According to Radalj, he was wrongfully convicted following a dispute over an electronics repair and coerced into signing a false confession with the belief it would shorten his sentence. During his time in prison, he described overcrowded cells with never-ending lights, lack of sanitation, and a diet primarily consisting of cabbage and plain bread, leading to widespread malnutrition among inmates. His testimony is corroborated by former prisoners who chose to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation, as noted by the BBC. The Chinese government did not respond to requests for comment. Radalj, who has now returned to Australia, not only shares his story but is also advocating for the rights of those still incarcerated. He reflects on the psychological impact of his imprisonment, stating, "With freedom comes a great sense of gratitude" and a responsibility to support fellow prisoners.
AUAustralia

Australian Man Describes Horrific Five-Year Ordeal in Chinese Prison

Matthew Radalj, an Australian, has recounted his harrowing experience of nearly five years in a Chinese prison, where he faced severe mistreatment, forced labor, and deplorable living conditions. According to a report by the BBC, Radalj was wrongfully convicted in 2020 following a dispute with shopkeepers over a mobile phone screen price, leading to a coerced confession of robbery. During his incarceration in Beijing No. 2 prison, Radalj shared a cramped cell with other inmates, often suffering from sleep deprivation and psychological torture. He described being beaten for two days and enduring months without proper hygiene or access to sanitation facilities. The food was reportedly insufficient, primarily consisting of cabbage in dirty water. Radalj also disclosed a punitive "good behaviour points system" that manipulated prisoners' actions through the promise of reduced sentences. Guards would penalize inmates for minor infractions, leading to a strategy of psychological torment. Released in October 2024, Radalj now grapples with the trauma while attempting to reconnect with fellow inmates' families.
AUAustralia
All Australia News ->