corpse flower
Carrion-scented tropical plant
A corpse flower is a plant that smells like rotting flesh when it blooms.
The name applies to several species, most famously *Amorphophallus titanum*, which produces one of the world's largest flower structures and blooms rarely—sometimes only once a decade.
The stench attracts carrion beetles and flies that serve as pollinators.
Decomposed and foul-smelling
- rotting fleshDecomposing animal tissue
- cadaverineDecomposition-produced diamine compound
- sulfurousContaining yellow element
- fetidHaving foul odor
malodorous · decaying · carrion · stench · nauseating · pungent · foul · reeking
Sheath enclosing flower cluster
- unfurlingOpening from rolled state
- blossomingBeginning to flower
- pollinationFlower reproductive transfer
- thermogenesisMetabolic production of warmth
inflorescence · spectacle · reproductive · perianth · corm · tuber · dormancy · growth cycle
Having soft green stems
- perennialRecurring each year
- SumatraIndonesian island, sixth largest
- IndonesiaSoutheast Asian archipelago nation
- endemicNative to one area
rainforest · understory · corm · botanical gardens · Kew · specimen · taxonomy · David Attenborough
Dominant figure in field
- colossalExtremely large in scale
- toweringOf imposing height
- massiveExtremely large and heavy
- enormousExtremely large in scale
record-breaking · giant · immense · dwarfing · monumental
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- endemic speciesLife found nowhere else
palm oil · rainforest destruction · ex-situ conservation · species survival · overharvesting
Insects that eat decay
- sweat beesBees attracted to perspiration
- cross-pollinationFertilization between different plants
- pollinatorsOrganisms transferring reproductive dust
- symbiosisInterspecies biological interdependence
Infrequent happening
- news coverageJournalistic attention to events
- webcamComputer-mounted video capture device
- museum exhibitCurated item on display
- conservatoryGlass-enclosed plant room
public viewing · media frenzy · naming tradition · countdown · social media · viral sensation
putrid
Decomposed and foul-smelling
- rotting fleshDecomposing animal tissue
- cadaverineDecomposition-produced diamine compound
- sulfurousContaining yellow element
fetid · malodorous · decaying · carrion · stench · nauseating · pungent · foul · reeking · repulsive
spathe
Sheath enclosing flower cluster
- unfurlingOpening from rolled state
- blossomingBeginning to flower
- pollinationFlower reproductive transfer
thermogenesis · inflorescence · spectacle · reproductive · perianth · corm · tuber · dormancy · growth cycle
herbaceous
Having soft green stems
- perennialRecurring each year
- SumatraIndonesian island, sixth largest
- IndonesiaSoutheast Asian archipelago nation
endemic · rainforest · understory · corm · botanical gardens · Kew · specimen · taxonomy · David Attenborough
titan
Dominant figure in field
enormous · record-breaking · giant · immense · dwarfing · monumental
endangered
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- vulnerableOpen to attack
endemic species · palm oil · rainforest destruction · ex-situ conservation · species survival · overharvesting
carrion beetles
Insects that eat decay
- sweat beesBees attracted to perspiration
- cross-pollinationFertilization between different plants
- pollinatorsOrganisms transferring reproductive dust
rare event
Infrequent happening
- news coverageJournalistic attention to events
- webcamComputer-mounted video capture device
- museum exhibitCurated item on display
conservatory · public viewing · media frenzy · naming tradition · countdown · social media · viral sensation
- carrion flowersrafflesia
- notable plantssequoia, rafflesia, baobab, ginkgo, bamboo
- exotic flowersbird of paradise, frangipani, hibiscus, orchid, plumeria
- smelly flowersrafflesia, skunk cabbage, stinkhorn, ailanthus
- Rare Plantsghost orchid, silver sword, resurrection plant, lady slipper, blue poppy
- plant parasitesmistletoe, dodder, broomrape, witchweed, rafflesia
corpse flowerrose
Stood up, or fragrant bloom
jasmine · gardenia · honeysuckle · lavender · lilac
corpse flowerlotus
Sacred aquatic flower
rose · white lily · cherry blossom · lily · daisy
corpse flowerdandelion
Yellow flower, white puffball
daisy · clover · buttercup · wildflower
flower, flowers, corpse, flowering, flowered, floral, florid, florist, corporal