Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens is buzzing with excitement as the infamous corpse flower, affectionately named Putricia, nears its much-anticipated bloom. This rare plant has drawn thousands of spectators online and at the Gardens themselves, all eager to witness and experience its brief, smelly splendor.
Despite the lengthy wait of 15 years since its last bloom, visitors and live-stream viewers alike remain fervently dedicated to this exceptional event. The enormous amorphophallus titanum, or titan arum, can grow up to 5 feet tall, but it's the smell—compared to "wet socks, hot cat food, or rotting possum flesh" according to BBC—that truly captures public attention. Participants have coined the term "WWTF," short for "we watch the flower," and they've made the meme go viral, showcasing the unique culture surrounding this remarkable plant.
Images of the plant, which is officially named Putricia, have flooded social media. Visitors to the Gardens can be spotted taking selfies, adding to the ambiance surrounding the flower’s upcoming bloom, which is expected any moment now. “I’m back again to see how Putricia is going, and I can see she’s still taking her time like the queen she is, fair play,” shared one commenter on the live chat. Another quipped, “This is the slowest burlesque ever,” demonstrating both the humor and the community's shared anticipation.
Putricia is part of the endangered species family of corpse flowers, which are native to the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, where they are known as "bunga bangkai." Their growing status is under threat due to deforestation and habitat loss. Horticulturalists estimate fewer than one thousand bloom naturally. “When it blooms, the flower deliveres an odor like rotting garbage or dead mice,” noted Emily Colletti from the Missouri Botanical Garden. The rare blooms occur only about every 2 to 5 years, making this time particularly exciting for the Sydney community.
"The bloom will last for only about 24 hours before it withers and dies," emphasized staff at the Royal Botanic Garden. With this impending blooming, the Gardens opened late to cater to curious onlookers hoping to catch the spectacle. “We really wanted to create something special for this event,” said Sophie Daniels, manager of placemaking and interpretation at the Gardens. “The inspiration for the display was really Queen Victoria's funeral crossed with 'Little Shop of Horrors' and some vintage sideshow vibes.”
Visitors have responded enthusiastically, making it clear how much they cherish the cherished corpse flower. So far, the Gardens have reported over 16,000 visitors since bringing the plant back on display. One attendee remarked on their visit, “Why not?” as they eagerly awaited the plant’s chance to blossom. For many, this wasn't just another day at the gardens; this was witnessing nature's unpredictability.
While waiting for Putricia to bloom, the Gardens have also set up the livestream, which has attracted over 500,000 views, drawing interest from flower enthusiasts around the globe. The streaming service enables viewers to catch glimpses of Putricia’s height and health as experts monitor her closely. It averages about three thousand live views at any time, providing eager fans with updates on the bloom’s progress.
Social media has played a major role in engaging the public, with lively discussions and speculation about how the flower may smell. One viewer predicted it would smell like “poop,” another expected “fresh roadkill,” and others repeatedly joked about rescheduling their lives to accommodate Putricia’s bloom.
The team behind this horticultural marvel wants to use the excitement to inform viewers about conservation efforts—demonstrations of the fragility of unique ecosystems. The Royal Botanic Gardens emphasizes its role not only as guardians of plant diversity but also as educators about environmental protection.
Putricia’s blooming marks only the fifth time such an event has occurred at the Sydney Gardens, and with its captivating odor and extraordinary size, it highlights why such plants are important symbols for conservation awareness. It’s anticipated to attract pollinators—alive with insects drawn to its scent—underscoring how integral such phenomena are for the propagation of life on Earth.
While the exact timing of its blooming remains unpredictable, spectators cannot help but feel drawn to Putricia like moths to flames. Will the excitement lead to new blooms? Only time will tell. For now, the world watches—and waits—for the bloom of Putricia.