Aug 22, 2017

While the rest of us were busy watching the eclipse, another rare event was happening down in Washington. Three corpse flowers went into bloom at the U.S. Botanic Garden, the first on Sunday, August 20.

: Curator Bill McLaughlin examines a blossoming corpse flower at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. According to the Garden, it’s the first time that a North American institution has had three corpse flower plants blooming at the same time. (Photo courtesy of USBG)

: The U.S. Botanic Garden has about 13 corpse plants, and it’s extremely rare for three to bloom at once – they only bloom every five to twelve years. (Photo courtesy of USBG)

: The U.S. Botanic Garden has about 13 corpse plants, and it’s extremely rare for three to bloom at once – they only bloom every five to twelve years. (Photo courtesy of USBG)

: The corpse flower aroma is a cross between sweaty gym clothes, natural gas, rancid cheese, mothballs and rotting flesh, said USBG spokesman Ray Mims. (Photo courtesy of USBG)

: The corpse flower aroma is a cross between sweaty gym clothes, natural gas, rancid cheese, mothballs and rotting flesh, said USBG spokesman Ray Mims. (Photo courtesy of USBG)

: The corpse flower aroma is a cross between sweaty gym clothes, natural gas, rancid cheese, mothballs and rotting flesh, said USBG spokesman Ray Mims. (Photo and caption courtesy of USBG)

: The corpse flower aroma is a cross between sweaty gym clothes, natural gas, rancid cheese, mothballs and rotting flesh, said USBG spokesman Ray Mims. (Photo courtesy of USBG)

: A USBG spokesman said it’s “absolute coincidence” that the three plants began blooming around the time of the historic eclipse yesterday. In the northern hemisphere, corpse flowers are generally known to bloom in the hottest months of July and August in this region, which closely mimics the native habitat of Sumatra, said Mims. (Photo and caption courtesy of USBG)

: The male and female flowers are typically separated, but not in this of the first bloom. The male flowers, are higher, and look like kernels of corn before releasing pollen. The red female flowers are typically at the lower part of the structure. (Photo and caption courtesy of USBG)

: Jim Adams collects pollen from the first corpse flower in order to pollinate the second one on August 22, 2017. Back in their native Sumatra, corpse flowers are pollinated by carrion beetles and other insects that are attracted to its stench. (Photo courtesy of USBG)

: A USBG spokesman said it’s “absolute coincidence” that the three plants began blooming around the time of the historic eclipse yesterday. In the northern hemisphere, corpse flowers are generally known to bloom in the hottest months of July and August in this region, which closely mimics the native habitat of Sumatra, said Mims. (Photo and caption courtesy of USBG)

: A USBG spokesman said it’s “absolute coincidence” that the three plants began blooming around the time of the historic eclipse yesterday. In the northern hemisphere, corpse flowers are generally known to bloom in the hottest months of July and August in this region, which closely mimics the native habitat of Sumatra, said Mims. (Photo and caption courtesy of USBG)

: Curator Bill McLaughlin examines a blossoming corpse flower at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. According to the Garden, it’s the first time that a North American institution has had three corpse flower plants blooming at the same time. (Photo courtesy of USBG)

: Visitors are flocking to catch a whiff of the stinking corpse flowers in bloom at the U.S. Botanical Garden in Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy of USBG)

“You typically don’t know when they’re gonna bloom,” said spokesman Ray Mims. The Botanic Garden has about 13 corpse plants, and it’s extremely rare for three to bloom at once – they only bloom every five to twelve years. According to the U.S. Botanic Garden, it could be the first time this has ever happened in North America.

For now, the blossoms are pulsating their scent into the air in waves. It’s an aroma that Mims said is a cross between sweaty gym clothes, natural gas, rancid cheese, mothballs and rotting flesh.

“Sweet, huh?”

The odor is meant to attract carrion beetles and flies that feed on dead flesh, which pollinate the plant in its native Sumatra. Here in the U.S., the scent attracts not insects, but visitors, who come in droves to catch a big whiff. The stink gets worse at night – and people are disappointed if they don’t get to smell it.

“We had a fragrance company come in to reproduce it,” said Mims. Staff have it in a bottle to bring out should the corpse flower be uncooperative.

As stinky as the plant is, said Mims, “You do get used to it after a while.” Though he said he became nauseated after standing next to one for a long time recently.

Mims said it’s “absolute coincidence” that the blooms happened around the same time as the historic eclipse of August 21. The plants bloom year-round in Sumatra, and in the hottest months of July and August in this region, said Mims.

The event has stirred up a lot of excitement during what’s usually a slow season at the U.S. Botanic Garden.

“It’s kind of like the plant world’s panda,” he said. “We love to have the opportunity for people to come see it.”

The Garden has extended admission hours until 10 pm on Tuesday evening to accommodate curious noses. Admission is free.

What’s that smell in DC? Three corpse flowers are in bloom at the U.S. Botanic Garden

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