Title: Daring to Dive into the Odor of the World's Most Reviled Blossom
Welcome to the year of Putricia, the world's odorously impressive bloom. Crowds of enthusiasts have flocked to Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden, eager to catch a whiff of the corpse flower. This stinky sensation is a rare occurrence, marking the fifth documented bloom at the Royal Botanic Garden and the first in a decade.
Nearly 20,000 people have journeyed to the Garden, and hundreds of thousands more have peeked in via livestream. Regrettably, Putricia's 24-hour spectacle has drawn to a close.
Belonging to the species Amorphophallus titanum, native to Sumatra's rainforests, Putricia lives up to its nickname with a decay-scented appeal. This repugnant aroma serves a clever purpose, luring in decay-loving critters, like carrion beetles and flies, for unwitting pollination. Some might smell something more akin to wet socks or hot cat food.
Sensitive researchers at the Royal Botanic Garden first detected signs of Putricia's stinky debut in late December. In mid-January, they prepared for this stinky event by creating an enticing display for Plant Enthusiasts Anonymous. Other foul-smelling plants exist, yet Putricia really steals the show, towering up to nine feet tall in full bloom.
"The fact that it's so enormous, takes so long [to bloom], and smells so foul attracts people to it," Brett Summerell, the Botanic Gardens of Sydney's chief scientist, shared with Reuters.
Wherever Friday evening fell on your calendar, Putricia's bloom came to an end in Sydney. Fret not, my friend. Corpse flowers are nothing if not regular visitors at botanic gardens. Last year, two Amorphophallus titanum bloomed at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington D.C., and even as I type this, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York City is announcing the soon-to-bloom of the rarest corpse flower species, Amorphophallus gigas[1][2][3].
[1] The Amorphophallus titanum, also known as the corpse flower, blooms infrequently in botanic gardens worldwide. While it can bloom once in a decade, some specimens may bloom more frequently, every two to three years, under optimal cultivation conditions. However, the exact frequency can vary significantly depending on the specific plant and its growth conditions.[2] In general, the plant requires a substantial amount of energy stored in its corm, which can take several years to accumulate. This heavy bulb-like structure typically cycles through "leaf" stages, sending up a stem to photosynthesize and build energy reserves before dying off. Once enough energy is stored, the flowering stage begins, and the bloom lasts for a short period, usually around 24 hours.[3]
The anticipation for the next corpse flower bloom in science and technology-driven botanic gardens worldwide is growing, as advancements in horticulture and climate control may increase the frequency of these rare events. In the future, we might witness multiple corpse flowers blooming simultaneously in various gardens around the globe, offering an unusual yet captivating attraction for visitors.
In the realm of science and technology, researchers are also exploring the possibilities of using the distinctive smell of corpse flowers as a lure to attract specific insects or organisms, potentially revolutionizing pest control techniques and contributing to sustainable agriculture methods.
