Indonesian Corpse Flower Blooms in Australia
The rare plant known as the “corpse flower” is currently blooming at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Australia. This live broadcast of the blooming process has attracted thousands of people.
Unique Characteristics of the Titan Arum
The titan arum plant blooms only once every few years for 24 hours. Dubbed “Putricia,” this plant emits an unpleasant odor. Visitors have described smelling a range of scents, from “trash” and “durian” to “wet socks” and “rotting animal carcass.”
A Unique Viewing Experience
The long-awaited blooming of Putricia has sparked jokes and even a unique slang term, “WWTF,” or “We Watch the Flower.” The Sydney Botanic Gardens intentionally broadcasted the blooming process live so the general public could witness it from anywhere.
Massive Audience Turnout
The broadcast attracted over 8,000 viewers simultaneously on Thursday (23/01). This number doubled within a few hours as the appearance of the plant slowly changed. John Siemon, the director of horticulture and living collections at the Sydney Botanic Gardens, likened the spectacle to the 2000 Sydney Olympics. “We had 15,000 people come through the gates before [the flower] bloomed.”
Personal Story: A Decade-Long Journey
Siemon shared, “This specimen is about 10 years old. We obtained it from our colleagues at the LA Botanical Garden when it was three years old, and we have been caring for it for the past seven years.” Siemon expressed his joy, stating, “[We are] very excited because our first flower has bloomed in 15 years.”
As Putricia bloomed, thousands of viewers witnessed the plant unfurl its maroon spathe around the large spike in the middle of the plant. The Botanic Gardens mentioned that it is “difficult to predict exactly when” Putricia will bloom, but this did not deter thousands of people from gathering virtually.
One commentator wrote, “I came back to see how Putricia was doing, and I could see she’s still as calm as a queen.” Another person remarked, “This is the slowest show ever.”
Through this unique event, people from around the world were able to witness the fascinating and rare blooming of the Indonesian corpse flower in Australia, creating a shared experience that united individuals despite physical distance.
