Visitors to Kew Gardens have a rare opportunity to see—and smell—the titan arum, also known as the corpse flower, which began blooming on Tuesday.
The flower, notorious for its odor resembling rotting flesh, typically blooms once every two years.
According to Kew Gardens’ website, the blooming of the titan arum often draws thousands of visitors eager to witness the “magnificent sight and disgusting stench.”
In response to the bloom, Kew Gardens extended its opening hours on Tuesday, but officials told the BBC that the bloom is expected to last only until the end of Wednesday.
The titan arum boasts the world’s largest flowering structure, which can reach nearly 10 feet (3 meters) in height, according to Kew.
The flower’s meat-like color and heat-producing spike help spread its pungent smell, attracting pollinators from up to half a mile away. Native to the rainforests of Sumatra, the plant is endangered in the wild due to deforestation and land degradation.
Visitors can view the titan arum inside the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens.
