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The strange plant that just might be the worst smell on the planet

Corpse flowers rarely bloom but if one does when you’re nearby you’ll know about it. Though many botanical gardens have their own corpse flowers, the plant's mysteries still abound

By Chelsea Whyte

21 September 2023

Steve Jones at the US Botanic Garden with a bloom (Devin Dotson/US Botanic Garden)

Botanist Steve Jones at the US Botanic Garden with a corpse flower bloom

Devin Dotson/US Botanic Garden

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The first thing that drew me to the corpse flower was its unusual name. The second was the reason for the name – they bloom rarely and only for 24 to 36 hours, but when they do, they release a horrendous odour that can travel about half a mile and smells like rotting flesh.…

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