Despite the putrid decaying smell emitted by the Amorphophallus Titanium or the corpse flower as it is popularly known, visitors have thronged the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary at Alattil near Periya in northern Wayanad in Kerala since July 18 to catch a glimpse of this flower which has reportedly bloomed for the very first time in India.

Having got its name from its sickening odour akin to that of rotting flesh, the flower stands almost two metres tall and is the largest in the world. It was planted in the sanctuary around nine years ago.

Native to Indonesia’s Sumatran rainforests, the flower is unable to pollinate on its own and remains in bloom for just a couple of days. The awful stench that emanates from the plant attracts insect pollinators like carrion beetles and flies that feed off animal carcass.

The plant has a lifespan of around 40 years and is expected to bloom a few more times.