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'It smells like a dumpster' - Stinky corpse flowers make rare bloom

July 14, 2026

Two corpse flowers are experiencing a rare simultaneous bloom at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens located in California. These unusual plants, which originate from Sumatra, Indonesia, emit a powerful odor that visitors have likened to rotting meat, spoiled cheese, or cooked cabbage. The flowering event is exceptionally brief, lasting only between one and two days before the blooms fade.

Who is affected

  • The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in California
  • The public/visitors who have the opportunity to witness the bloom
  • The two corpse flowers themselves

What action is being taken

  • The two corpse flowers are currently blooming at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

Why it matters

  • This matters because corpse flowers bloom only once every two to three years, making any flowering event rare. Having two corpse flowers bloom simultaneously is even more unusual, providing a particularly exceptional opportunity for the public to witness this uncommon botanical occurrence. The blooms last only 24 to 48 hours, making the viewing window extremely limited.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC

'It smells like a dumpster' - Stinky corpse flowers make rare bloom