World’s biggest flower blooms in Switzerland (PHOTOS)

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Published time: November 23, 2012 01:38
Edited time: November 23, 2012 11:49

The world’s largest flower has blossomed in Basel. The monster stinky plant, which boasts the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world, is 2.27 meters tall and blooms for just a couple of days once every few years.

­Titan Arum, which originates in the jungles of Sumatra, is not just the biggest flower in the world – it is also one of the stinkiest. Its flowers release an odor reminiscent of decomposing flesh. Luckily, it rarely blooms outside its natural environment.

The Swiss botanical garden was lucky enough to have two of the flowers bloom in just 18 months. The last time Titan Arum blossomed there was in April 2011. Before that, the plant blossomed in Switzerland only in 1936.

The blossoming flower was constantly under the eye of online cameras, so that everyone keen to see the remarkable botanic event could take a glimpse. Others who are not turned away by the horrible smell of rotting meat visited the botanic garden in Basel to see the monster flower with their own eyes. 

The last floral appearance of the Titan Arum in Basel attracted some 25,000 visitors.

(Image from titanwurz.unibas.ch)

(Image from titanwurz.unibas.ch)

Visitors look at the Arum Titan "Amorphophallus titanum", the largest flower in the world, as it blossoms for a second time on late November 19, 2012.(AFP Photo / Sebastien Bozon)

The Arum Titan "Amorphophallus titanum", the largest flower in the world, is pictured as it blossoms for a second time on late November 19, 2012.(AFP Photo / Sebastien Bozon)