Corpse flower blooms at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, draws crowd despite foul smell
The enormous plant, officially known as Amorphophallus gigas, is notorious for the pungent odor it emits upon blooming - a smell often likened to rotting flesh.
A rare and remarkable botanical event is captivating New Yorkers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where the unique “corpse flower” has finally bloomed.
The enormous plant, officially known as Amorphophallus gigas, is notorious for the pungent odor it emits upon blooming - a smell often likened to rotting flesh.
The corpse flower arrived at the garden in 2018 and reached full bloom early Friday morning, marking a first for New York City.
Despite the stench, visitors are flocking to the garden for a chance to see the towering flower, which stands over 6 feet tall and boasts striking purple and yellow hues.
“We knew the second it started to bloom we wanted to get out here as soon as we could,” said Lindsay Rodriguez, of Bay Ridge.
“It’s kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s a tropical plant that’s not around here—where else are you going to see this?” said Nicole Giordano, of Prospect Heights.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden President Adrian Benepe says the bloom is a rare occurrence.
The corpse flower’s bloom is short-lived, so those hoping to see the flower should act fast.
For more information, visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden website or head to the garden’s greenhouse to see the flower in person.
