The new app packed with trusted gardening know-how
North Yorkshire
Essex
Devon
Surrey
Greater Manchester
Latin name: Amorphophallus titanum Superpowers: Can smell it half a mile away Where from: Sumatra
Up to 3m tall, this is the biggest and smelliest flower in the world. When it blooms it releases a disgusting smell, a bit like rotting meat that can be smelled over a long distance. Since the plants tend to be a long way apart and do not flower very often, the scent is thought to be essential for attracting insects to spread their pollen. There are a number of flowers that smell bad and they are often pollinated by flies, beetles or other insects that normally feed on dead animals.
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.