Top 10 Stinkiest Flowers In The World

We commonly relate flowers for their overall aesthetic and wonderful aroma. However, there are certain flowers out there with such a unique look that can be relatively deceitful when it comes to their smell.

Generally, these stinky flowers play a role to attract agents or victims. There are some species that can be found all over the wild while some are mostly used as decorations. Here we would like to share with you the top 10 stinkiest flowers in the world that will instantly blow your mind.

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10. Aristolochia gigantea

The flower that is known as the Dutchman's Pipe or Giant Pelican Flower is a decorative flower native to Brazil. This colorful flower will emit a stinky smell similar to an animal's dropping to attract various insects and help pollinate them.

The sparkling texture adds an extra pull for these insects.

9. Stapelia gigantea

This star-shaped flower originates from South Africa and is sometimes called the toad plant. This flowering plant releases a stench like rotten meat to entice the insects to come and pollinate the plant.

Stapelia gigantea as stated in its name is a large flower that grows up to 35 cm in diameter. It can be found in various yellow to red colors. Despite its stinky smell, it did not stop people from decorating their gardens with it.

8. Arum maculatum

This stripy flowering plant or its other name, Jack in the Pulpit, Adder's Root, Wild Arum, Starch Root, and many other names. Despite its name, all would agree that this flower smells like poop.

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This plant can be found abundantly in Europe, especially in Turkish forests. The plant uses this stinky smell and bright purple color to attract insects toward it. But don't be surprised as some people even use the flower as a unique dish when properly cooked.

The oxalic acid inside this plant however needs to be removed entirely or else it will be poisonous to be consumed.

7. Helicodiceros muscivorus

Dead Horse Arum Lily as some might call was named as such due to its overall feature and stinky smell. This flower is a native plant found in Corsica and Balearic Island in Spain. 

This thermogenic plant has flowers that release a rotten meat smell with a similar purpose to other flowering plants on this list.

6. Lysichiton americanus

This plant is known as Swamp Lantern or Western Skunk Cabbage and can be found in swampy areas in the Pacific. With huge green petals, this gigantic plant has bright yellow flowers that release a unique stench when it is blooming.

The smell produced often last for a long time despite the flower starting to wilt out. The smell is an attractive agent for insects to help with the pollination process. Some people might agree that the smell is somewhat similar to Eastern Skunk Cabbage.

5. Dracunculus vulgaris

This flowering plant comes in many different names like Black Arum, Lily Voodoo, Stinky Lily, and Dragon Arum. This breed originates from the Balkan and certain parts of Turkey. It has a bright purple color that releases an unbearable smell.

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This carcass smell is for pollination and reports showed that this flower has been bred in North America.

4. Hydnora africana

This is a parasite flowering plant originating from South Africa. It does not have any chlorophyll and similar to other flowers on this list, it will release a poop smell to attract insects.

On top of that, the flower also entraps the insects for a short period of time to ease the pollination process. The stinky smell comes from the semaphores which are produced in the soft area of the flowering petals.

There are also fruits that can be harvested under the ground which take 2 years to ripen.

3. Rafflesia Arnoldii

Aside from being the biggest flower in the world, it is also one of the stinkest ones. It is definitely mesmerizing to witness but not something pleasant to smell. The flowers can be found all over the rainforest in Malaysia and Indonesia as well as weighing 10kg each.

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It is a parasite plant and does not have any roots, leaves, or branches. Despite Rafflesia releasing a stinky smell, it is not however smell like carcasses. Its function is to attract insects for pollination.

2. Amorphophallus titanum

Also known as Titan Arum and corpse flower is a herbaceous plant found in the Sumatera rainforest of Indonesia. It is the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world.

The flower typically blooms once in a period of up to 10 years long and it will only last for 1 day. During its blooming process, this flower will release one of a kind smell like a mammal corpse. Due to that, it is known as a carrion flower.

1. Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis

The top flowering plant on our list will be the Bulbophyllum Phalaenopsis and it is a plant commonly found in the islands of Papua New Guinea. It is classified as an orchid plant and comes in different colors of white, red, and purple.

It has a strong and pungent smell like rotten meat to attract insects. This flowering plant is among the biggest in its family with its leaves measuring 4 feet wide. The strong smell definitely did not stop the natives to plant this flower widely.

Source:

• Iluminasi

Also read: Top 9 Stinkiest Animals In The World