I’m sure you’ve seen one of these on the internet before. Or maybe IRL!

This is a #Amorphophallustitanum… the largest stemmed flowering plant (an inflorescence - ie a cluster of flowers arranged on a single stalk) on earth.

It is native to the island of Sumatra in western Indonesia.

The first pic is from the #Cairns #Botanicgardens, #Queensland #Australia (2022).

Intriguing info:

The Amorphophallus titanum is also known as the "#corpseflower" because of its pungent smell when it blooms.

The odour is designed to attract carrion flies for pollination by imitating the stench of a dead animal.

Some #Amorphophalli will go through an entire life cycle in three or four years, although most (a #titanarum, pictured) can be expected to live for several decades.

The titanarum stores energy in its corm, or underground stem. This energy (food) is later used to fuel the rapid growth, following a period of dormancy.

Usually takes 4–10 years or more between flowerings (ie, for a titanarum).

The corm can weigh around 70–90 kg (154–200 pounds).

While in bloom, the plant structure generates heat, more than 90 °F (32 °C)

They typically grow around 2.5m (8 feet) tall. Some grow larger.

How intriguing!

Source: abc.net.au.
Also Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphophallus_titanum and Britannica.com.

#urbanflora #flora #gardening #garden #melbourne #aesthetichedonist #januaryjoy #gardeningAU #gardening #narrm #victoria #Australia #godmustbeabotanist #makesmehappy