A rare floral phenomenon
Hundreds of flower enthusiasts queued for hours at Sydney’s Royal Sydney Botanic Garden to witness a rare event—the bloom of a corpse flower. Scientifically known as Amorphophallus titanum, this endangered plant emits a strong, unpleasant odour resembling decaying flesh, drawing visitors eager to experience its momentous bloom and infamous stench. (AP photo)
Meet Putricia: The foul-smelling star
Nicknamed Putricia, a blend of "putrid" and "Patricia," the flower captured hearts and noses alike. Fans, affectionately called Putricians, flocked to see her gothic display set against a misty purple backdrop. This marked the first corpse flower bloom at the garden in 15 years, making it a historic moment for plant enthusiasts and curious visitors. (AP photo)
The long wait
Native to Indonesia’s Sumatran rainforest, corpse flowers bloom only every 7-10 years, with fewer than 1,000 in existence globally. Putricia, after seven years of careful nurturing, grew from a modest 25 cm (10 inches) in December to an impressive 1.6 metres (5 feet 3 inches) tall by her big day. (AP photo)
An unfolding spectacle
As the flower unfurled, her pleated outer layer revealed a burgundy centre, while her spike heated to 37°C (100°F) to better spread her distinct odour. (AP photo)
A scent like no other
The smell likened to “slaughterhouse” air, drew flies and beetles, nature’s intended pollinators. Visitors braved the pungent stench to take selfies and marvel at the rare display. (Photo: Sky News, Reuters)
Putricia fever grips Sydney
The bloom sparked excitement reminiscent of a rock concert. Velvet ropes, crowd barriers, and a red carpet enhanced the Victorian greenhouse’s theatrical atmosphere. Thousands of fans shared the experience, both in person and online, where a 24/7 livestream attracted nearly a million views. (AP photo)
The online buzz
Putricia’s virtual fans developed a quirky culture, sharing memes and acronyms like WWTF (“we watch the flower”) and WDNRP (“we do not rush Putricia”). Commenters saw her bloom as a metaphor for resilience, while others rushed to see her before the fleeting event ended. (AP photo)
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