Things Are About to Get Real Stinky for Missouri Residents

A particular flower takes years to grow and blooms for only 24 hours, but the aroma is not something you want to smell.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is gearing up for the Corpse Flower to bloom between June 9th and 12th. The plant is currently on display in the Linnean House Conservatory and is viewable during regular Garden hours; Garden admission is required.

Millie, the flower's name, can bloom anytime and visitors and employees of the botanical garden are patiently waiting for the arrival of the powerful, stinky smell. The Corpse Flower is considered one of the stinkest flowers ever to exist, with the smell compared to rotting flesh.

According to the U.S. Botanic Garden, its smell is potent when it first blooms. If you want to smell this flower, hurry down to the botanical garden because the smell only lasts about 24 hours.

So why do people torture themselves to see this very stinky flower? Well, the size of the flower attacks people to it with some getting as tall as 12 feet. This endangered flower comes from Indonesia, and when it does bloom, it stays open for a few days.

 This combination of heat and smell efficiently lures corpse-attracted pollinators, such as carrion beetles and flies, from across long distances.

I would be interested to smell this flower it might be a once-in-a-lifetime visit to see the corpse flower, but at least I can say that I did smell it. The Missouri Botanical Garden is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm.