Gardens normally smell of fresh florals, but one Missouri garden is celebrating an especially putrid smell as of Saturday evening.
The Missouri Botanical Garden shared news that the massive Corpse Flower, also known as Octavia, recently had a rare bloom.
Corpse Flowers are a unique sight in the gardening world, and to see one in full bloom is even rarer.
This flower blooms only once every 7 to 10 years, with each instance lasting between 24 and 48 hours.
On Saturday, the Botanical Garden announced at 5:07 p.m. that Octovia was finally in bloom.
“Octavia currently stands at 93.5 inches tall and measures 59 inches around, adding 2 inches to her height and 1 inch to her girth since yesterday,” wrote the Botanical Garden in a press release.
Unlike most flowers that smell like a fresh spring day, the Corpse Flower’s aroma is described as strong, foul and similar to rotting flesh. Hence, its namesake.
Despite the off-putting stench, plant enthusiasts gathered to get a once-in-a-lifetime chance at taking in the bloom.
Gardeners noted that at the end of the week, Octavia will likely be returned to her greenhouse, where she’ll rest until her next bloom in nearly a decade.
The Botanical Garden invites guests to see for themselves any day between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Those who can’t make the trip to see the bloom in person can do so by watching the Missouri Botanical Garden’s livestream of Octovia.
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