Giant corpse lily bloom ends three-year wait at the botanic gardens

You’d be forgiven for thinking something had died at the Cairns Botanic Gardens over the Christmas weekend – but the awful stench was actually the sign of a unique and beautiful transformation.

YOU’D be forgiven for thinking something had died at the Cairns Botanic Gardens over the Christmas weekend.

But the smell of rotten flesh that wafted on the breeze was actually the sign of a rare and unique transformation.

Christmas Eve marked the repugnant blooming of Hannibal the giant corpse lily.

It’s the first time in three years that Hannibal has flowered, emitting the awful stench that its species is well-known for.

Edge Hill resident Adam Mason-Smith has been following the progress of the powerful-smelling bloom over the Christmas weekend.

“We saw it by chance when we were walking through the gardens and have been checking in as it has opened the last couple of days,” Mr Mason-Smith said.

Squashed cane toad

Mr Mason-Smith was able to put the smell into a context that many Queenslanders may recognise.

“The smell is squashed cane toad and I swear you could smell it from the carpark on Christmas Eve.”

Mr Mason-Smith said he came in on the morning of Christmas Eve and one of the workers told him it probably wasn’t going to open.

“I told her to have a little faith,” he said.

“Lo and behold that evening she began to open up, like a Christmas miracle.”

Edge Hill local Adam Mason-Smith reacts to the smell of the Giant Corpse Lily

The foul-smelling Amorphophallus titanium, or Titan arum, has the largest single, unbranched inflorescence (flower cluster) in the world and a famously brief bloom of about 24 hours.

The plant begins to produce the smell from its spathe – the bract holding the flower cluster – when it is about to open.

The foul odour usually develops overnight and eases during the day.

Regional Council curator for botanic areas Charles Clarke said the plant exists as a bulb under the surface and when it has gathered enough energy and the conditions are right it will send up the flower to bloom.

A truly disgusting smell

Mr Clarke said the smell was truly disgusting.

“The most common likeness we get people saying is dead cane toad, snake or rotting fish,” he said.

“The smell will often come in waves meaning that its great to see the reaction from those caught off guard.”

The gross smell is developed to attract insects carrying pollen to help reproduction.

Once the Titan arum has bloomed, it will gradually close over two to three days and wither. Then, if the small female flowers have been pollinated, seeds will start to develop.

The bloom is unlikely to last much longer but is available to be viewed outside the conservatorium at the Botanic Gardens.

Mr Clarke said Hannibal’s next bloom would not be expected for another couple of years.

“It’s been great to see the interest and support from the public and it will be great to welcome them back again the next time we get to see this event.”

Originally published as Giant corpse lily bloom ends three-year wait at the botanic gardens