Endangered Sumatran Titan arum, also known as corpse flower, blooms for few hours at botanical gardens in Warsaw-Living News , Firstpost

The endangered Sumatran Titan arum, or the corpse flower bloomed for just a few hours at the Warsaw University Botanical Gardens. Image via The Associated Press/ Monika Scislowska

Warsaw: The endangered Sumatran Titan arum, a giant foul-smelling blossom also known as the corpse flower, went into a rare, short bloom at a botanical garden in Warsaw, drawing crowds who waited for hours to see it.

The extraordinary flower, which emits a dead-body odor to attract pollinating insects that feed on flesh, bloomed on 13 June. It was already withering early 14 June. Those wishing to avoid the smell and crowds could watch it on live video from the Warsaw University Botanical Gardens.

Hundreds gathered at the Warsaw University Botanical Gardens to click a picture of the endangered Sumatran Titan arum or the corpse flower. Image via The Associated Press/ Monika Scislowska

Hundreds, if not thousands, lined up long into the night on 13 June and 14 June morning at the conservatory just to be able to pass by the flower and take a picture.

Know also as the Amorphophallus titanum, the flowering plant has the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world, which can be up to 3 meters (10 feet) high. Its compound flower is composed of a hollow, tall spadix with small flowers and a spathe, with one big, furrowed petal that is green on the outside and deep burgundy red on the inside. It’s blooming is rare and unpredictable.

The plant only grows in the wild in the rainforests of Sumatra, but it is endangered there due to deforestation. Cultivation at botanical gardens, where they are a great visitor attraction, has helped its preservation. It’s first known blooming outside Sumatra was in 1889 at London’s Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.