SAN MARINO, California — Two of the world’s rarest and most unusual plants are putting on a spectacular show at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, where two endangered corpse flowers have begun blooming at the same time—a rare event that is attracting visitors eager to witness both the massive blossoms and their infamous rotting flesh odor.
The two Titan Arums, named Odorysseus and Odora, started opening within hours of each other over the weekend. Botanical experts say the flowers will reach their peak bloom during the early hours of Monday before beginning to close, giving visitors only a brief opportunity to experience one of nature’s most extraordinary displays.
Rare Double Bloom Draws Crowds to The Huntington
Officials at The Huntington announced that both corpse flowers began blooming almost simultaneously, an occurrence considered highly unusual because each plant follows its own flowering cycle.
Odorysseus, named after the legendary Greek hero Odysseus, is blooming for the very first time. Odora, meanwhile, last flowered in 2024 and has returned for another rare display.
The two flowers are expected to continue opening until approximately 2 a.m. Monday, when they reach their maximum height and full bloom. After reaching their peak, the flowers will gradually begin closing.
Botanists say simultaneous blooms like this are uncommon, making the event especially exciting for plant enthusiasts, photographers and visitors.
Bloom Lasts Only 24 to 48 Hours
One of the reasons corpse flower blooms attract worldwide attention is their incredibly short lifespan.
Each bloom typically lasts only 24 to 48 hours, making every flowering event a limited-time spectacle. After the brief blooming period ends, the enormous flower begins to collapse and won’t bloom again for another two to three years.
Because of this unpredictable and short-lived cycle, botanical gardens often monitor the plants around the clock as they approach blooming.
Visitors hoping to experience the event in person have only a narrow window before the flowers begin to close.
Famous for Its Powerful Rotting Flesh Smell
The Titan Arum, commonly known as the corpse flower, is famous for producing one of the strongest odors found in the plant kingdom.
During peak bloom, the flower releases a scent often compared to rotting meat, decaying flesh, rotten eggs and sweaty gym socks.
Although unpleasant to humans, the smell serves an important biological purpose. It attracts insects such as carrion beetles and flies, which naturally feed and breed around dead animals. These insects become the plant’s primary pollinators, helping transfer pollen between flowers.
The intense odor usually becomes strongest during the flower’s peak blooming hours.
One of the World’s Largest Flowers
Native to the rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia, the endangered Titan Arum is among the largest flowering plants on Earth.
The towering plant can grow more than 12 feet tall and, during periods of rapid development, may increase in height by up to six inches in a single day.
Its massive flowering structure and dramatic blooming process have made it one of the most recognizable attractions in botanical gardens around the world.
Due to habitat loss and declining wild populations, the species is considered endangered, making conservation efforts increasingly important.
The Huntington Leads Conservation Efforts
The Huntington maintains one of North America’s largest collections of Titan Arums, caring for more than 43 mature plants.
Since receiving its first specimen in 1999, the institution has publicly displayed 29 corpse flower blooms, more than any other botanical garden in the western United States.
Botanical staff carefully hand-pollinate the flowers during their brief blooming period to produce seeds that can be cultivated and shared with other botanical gardens.
The institution also exchanges pollen and underground plant stems with conservation partners to help preserve the endangered species while reducing pressure on wild populations in Indonesia.
Officials say these collaborative efforts play an important role in protecting one of the world’s most remarkable plants for future generations.
Visitors Can Watch the Bloom in Person or Online
Plant enthusiasts hoping to experience the rare event can visit The Huntington while the flowers remain open. Because each bloom lasts only a day or two, officials encourage visitors to check availability before making the trip.
For those unable to attend in person, The Huntington is also livestreaming the blooming process on its official YouTube channel, allowing viewers around the world to watch the flowers open in real time.
The rare double bloom offers a unique opportunity to witness one of nature’s shortest-lived yet most fascinating botanical events, combining towering flowers, unusual biology and an unforgettable scent that continues to captivate visitors year after year.
Have you ever seen a corpse flower bloom in person? Would you brave the famous smell to witness one of the world’s rarest flowering events? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
