Perhaps, flowers are associated with femininity, a delicate sweet aroma and summer for everyone. But Mother Nature, along with evolution, created something directly opposite to our ideas about the world of flowers. And that rotten, stinking flower that you haven’t watered for a month after you went on vacation will seem like a heavenly creature with a wonderful aroma, in comparison with the winners of our selection.

Firstly, the plants discussed below exude bad smell decomposition, putrefaction or excrement. The target "audience" of these flowers are flies, dung beetles and other insects with a perverted sense of beauty.

Secondly, this smell is only a bait, and not at all a weapon, which everyone who heard it thought of, because some of the plants are predators. Some of the “exhibits” below are also the largest on the planet.

This plant is native to South Africa, but many people grow this stinking flower in their rock gardens or as landscape decorations.

While spreading the suffocating smell of death around itself, it attracts small pollinators. The beetle crawls into the very epicenter of the “aroma” through the cracks between the petals, pollinates the plant, looks for food or lays eggs.

Meanwhile, the plant itself feeds from the roots, which go deep into the soil, clinging to other people's roots. The ground part of this plant can be conditionally called a flower; in fact, it is a calyx with a rough, sand-colored outer surface. Inside, the surface of the gidnora is more delicate and changes color from white to blood-red, which also attracts various insects, but mainly carrion beetles. Also, this stinking flower is very similar to the worm from the movie Tremors.

On the first day of flowering, the stigmas of the pistils open, that is, the female stigmas, the flies bathe in nectar and lay offspring. The next day, the stigmas of the pistils close, the stamens open, the sticky bodies of the insects become dirty in male pollen, the smell of which encourages the insects to flee, that is, to another stinking flower. This is how cross-pollination occurs.

On cloudy days, when there are practically no insects, Helicodiceros is able to raise the temperature so that its smell spreads much further, attracting other flies. It grows in the northwestern part of the Mediterranean region.

Grows in flat areas, preferring the tropics and subtropics of southern and western Africa, China, Madagascar, India, Nepal, etc.
It blooms once every 10 years, perhaps accumulating all its strength just for this flowering. At the age of five years, a bud begins to form; a cob-shaped inflorescence of dark burgundy color appears on the surface of the stem, which consists of male and female flowers, covered with a dense hood on top. The height of the cob is about 70 cm. Some sources claim that Amorphophallus titanum can grow up to 4 meters in height. The male flowers are located outside, and the female flowers are hidden below.

Polite Englishmen call the aroma emanating from plants “bad fish,” but in reality it is simply impossible to describe it in words. However, this is the smell that is needed in order to attract the insects necessary for pollination. At this time, the cob itself warms up to 40 C from the inside, this is also necessary to attract pollinators and more. Usually, the ceremonial flowering of the giant occurs in front of a crowd of tourists coming from all over the globe. The lifespan of Amorphophallus is about 40 years, but it blooms only 3-4 times in its life.

Lysichiton is also able to raise the temperature in order to survive in frosts, so that the snow around the flower melts.
Habitat: swampy areas, banks of rivers and reservoirs in North America. North American Indians used this flower for food, boiling it several times, because... V fresh the plant causes acute pain in the stomach. They also used it to treat various ailments.

The appearance of simplocarpus is very exotic, especially against the backdrop of barely melted snow. It is a burgundy, dense and leathery hood with a pointed end that hangs over a round cob yellow color. It is characterized by a pungent odor that can be described as carrion with garlic, so attractive to pollinating insects.

Carrion is a fine word used for rotting or putrefying flesh, and thus disgusting flowers tend to smell like a pile of rotten flesh. This scent is not used to ward off potential predators, but rather to attract insects. Insects are not consumed by flowers for nutritional purposes, but rather, as is common with most flowers, they help pollinate the flower. These flowers do not attract all insects such as butterflies and bees, they attract those insects that feed on carrion, such as beetles and various flies. These putrid but fascinating flowers differ from each other in surprising ways, some of which we can look at today.

10. Veselkovye (Phallaceae)

Veselaceae are a family of mushrooms commonly known as Stinkhorn mushrooms. Shaped like a phallus, Veselkova are distributed throughout the world, but are especially common in tropical areas. They are known for their foul-smelling, sticky mass of spores, or gleba, at the end of their stems called receptaculum. The characteristic form of fruiting, unbranched receptaculum with attached external spores in the upper part, distinguishes the Veselkovae from other families in the Phalalles. The spore mass usually smells like carrion or manure, and attracts flies and other insects to help disperse the spores.

9. Dead Horse Lily (Helicodiceros muscivorus)

Helicodiceros muscivorus (white dead horse lily) is an ornamental plant native to the northwestern Mediterranean region. It produces the stench of rotting meat, attracting carrion-seeking flies that act as pollinators. One of a rare group of thermogenic plants, the White Dead Horse Lily can raise its temperature. This helps lure flies into the plant and come into contact with its pollen. Interestingly, the very few thermogenic plants that actually exist are mostly disgusting plants (although there are a few exceptions).

8. California Dutch Pipe

California Dutch Pipe, or Aristolochia californica, is a deciduous vine with purple-striped, arching, trumpet-shaped flowers that give rise to winged, capsular green fruits. The flowers have a strong, unpleasant aroma that attracts carrion-eating insects. Insects crawling into an intricate flower are disoriented, linger there for a long time, and raise a large amount of pollen, due to the fact that they wander around the inside of the flower in search of a way out. Fungus gnats are common pollinators that fall for the Dutch Tube scam, as they receive absolutely nothing from the flower. Even though this plant does not provide anything to its pollinators, it is the only food source for the Pipevine butterfly. Red spotted black caterpillars feed on leaves that appear very bitter to other predators. They also use flowers as a safe, enclosed space.

7. Starfish flowers

Starfish flowers, or Stapelia gigantea, are a plant from the milkweed family. It is a cactus-like succulent plant that produces flowers in the shape of large starfish. The flowers are flesh-colored or yellow, with fine red lines running along them, and are covered with hairs. In the center of each flower there is a mouth in the form of an opening in which the genitals are found. A cadaverous odor emanates from here, and this lures insects and flies to the center where they can help with pollination.

6. Eastern Cabbage Skunk

Skunk cabbage, or Symplocarpus foetidus, is a low-growing, foul-smelling plant that prefers swampy conditions. It can be found naturally in North and Northeast America, as well as many parts of Asia. Skunk cabbage has large, broad leaves and produces 10-15cm flowers that are variegated purple. This plant does produce a rotting, foul odor that is most noticeable when the leaf is torn. This scent is needed to attract pollinators such as flies and beetles. Another interesting fact about this plant, it is one of the very few thermogenic plants. This means that it can generate high heat, in which case the temperature can reach 15-35C. This allows the plant to melt the frozen ground so the flowers can bloom while there is still snow. It also attracts insects that are hiding from the cold and helps evaporate and disperse their scent.

5. Tarragon (Dracunculus vulgaris)

It is indeed a flower that has many names, some of which include Dragon Arun, Black Arun, Snake Lily, Stink Lily, Black Dragon, Dragonwort and Drakondia. The scientific name is common tarragon, Dracunculus vulgaris, and is native to the Balkans, Mediterranean, Europe and Antalya. It was recently brought to the United States, where it is thriving. This amazing plant, which has the most stunning flower, which consists of a spadix that can grow up to 120 cm. The spadix is ​​initially shrouded in a blanket of dark purple and black. The cover unfolds, revealing an almost black cob, which releases a strong smell of carrion for one day, at which time the genitals are ripe and insects that will spread pollen are attracted by the smell.

4. African hydrona (Hydrona africana)

3. Pelican flower

Aristolochia gigantean, also called the Giant Pelican Flower and the Giant Dutch Pipe, is originally native to Brazil and Panama. This vine boasts red flowers with intricate white markings on one petal. Resembling a heart that has been rolled into a cone shape, this intriguing plant also has heart-shaped foliage that is lush, bright green and glossy at times. A significant plant, Aristolochia gigantea can grow to 8 -10 feet in height, with a spread of up to 8 feet. Its flowers can grow to nearly one full foot in length. The flowers release a very strong putrid odor when they open, and this attracts flies, which assist in the pollination process.

2. Rafflesia arnoldii

Surprisingly, both of our last two plants are widely known as corpse flowers. Rafflesia Arnoldi is the largest single flower in the world, and is an endemic plant found only in the rainforests of Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia and Malaysia. There are several species of Rafflesia in these areas, but Arnoldi is the largest species, measuring up to 1m/3ft in diameter and can weigh up to 11kg.

1. Amorphophallus titanum

Amorphophallus titanium, literal translation from Greek language literally means the ugly Giant's Cock, with a huge ugly phallus that is located directly in the center of the flower and is commonly known as Titan Arun. It is a flowering plant with the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world, native to Sumatra. The Titan Arun inflorescence can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) in height. Like the related crazy pint and calligraphy lily, it consists of a fragrant spadix of flowers wrapped in a blanket that looks like a single flower petal. In general, the Titan Arun blanket is green on the outside and maroon and red on the inside, with deep grooves. The cob is hollow and resembles a large slice of French bread. Upper, visible part the spadix is ​​covered in pollen, while its lower limb is strewn with bright red-orange carpels. The “aroma” of the inflorescence is reminiscent of rotting meat, attracting carrion-eating beetles and flies (family Sarcophagidae) to pollinate it. The dark red color and structure of the flower contribute to the illusion that the blanket is a piece of meat. During flowering, the top of the cob is approximately the same as human body temperature, which helps the smell dissipate; this heat is also believed to aid in the illusion that attracts trunk-eating insects.

Many plants attract the attention of a wide variety of insects and people with their charming beauty and juicy aroma. But it so happens that in nature there are species with a rather unpleasant, even disgusting, odor.

After reading this article, you can find out what the smelliest flower in the world is called and what it is. We will also tell you what other flowers with unpleasant odors exist. Below are descriptions of some of the most interesting of them.

general information

The main feature of some plants is their unpleasant odor. By the way, in nature there are specimens whose appearance corresponds to the piquant smell given to them by nature: sometimes such flowers look like pieces of spoiling meat. However, among them, oddly enough, there are also surprisingly beautiful, original representatives.

Below are described which belong to the group of the most smelly flowers in the world. By the way, many of them, in addition to their unique smell, are also huge in size.

The smelliest plant

This flower can rightfully be included in the list of plants with the most unpleasant odor. Its peculiarity is that it is very large.

What is the name of the stinking flower? The original Rafflesia arnoldi, also known as the corpse lily, grows in Sumatra and Java. It consists of just one flower. Moreover, it has neither roots nor leaves. This relic has no analogues in the whole world.

The flower is also notable for its amazing colors. It consists of rather fleshy, thick petals of a rich red color with growths of white shades in the form of warts. Undoubtedly, rafflesia is not only a beautiful stinking flower. It is also the largest in the world, because its diameter reaches 2 meters and its average weight is 11 kilograms.

Not many agree that this stinking flower is beautiful. But the concept of “beauty”, as you know, is relative. The aroma of rafflesia is reminiscent of the smell of rotting meat. This property of the flower attracts a huge number of insects, for example, flies.

What is it for? The plant does not feed on insects, but uses them in this way for pollination. A fly that sits on a flower, falling in pollen, flies to the same plant - this is how pollination occurs. Another interesting fact is that the seeds of the plant are distributed by elephants.

Amorphophallus titanum

Many plants belonging to the amorphophallus species also emit a rather unpleasant aroma, but some of them emit odors, for example, reminiscent of spices or chocolate.

There is one type of amorphophallus that gives off a terribly unpleasant smell of feces or rotten meat. This is a stinking flower - Amorphophallus titanum, which is also the tallest flower in the world. It can reach 3 meters in height. Another name for it is “corpse flower.” Its usual diameter is 50 centimeters, and its weight is about 50 kilograms.

Amorphophallus titanica grew until recently exclusively in the tropical forests of the island of Sumatra (Indonesia), but with the arrival of humans in these places, it almost disappeared in the wild. Now it can be seen in botanical gardens around the world. Flowering lasts only one to two days, during which a terrible fetid odor hovers around the plant, more reminiscent of the smells of rotten fish and eggs.

Dracunculus vulgaris

This stinking flower occupies one of the first places among its kind. Dracunculus vulgaris is a perennial herbaceous plant, quite widely distributed in the territories of Southern Europe (Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Albania, France, Italy and France).

It grows up to 2 meters in height. This type characterized by a large purple inflorescence having a length ranging from 25-135 centimeters. The smell of the flower is reminiscent of the stench of carrion and excrement.

Stapelia gigantea

This low-growing plant comes from Africa (southeast of the continent). Its height is 20 cm, diameter - 35 cm. The smell of the flower, which mainly attracts flies, also resembles rotting meat.

This flower is grown in room conditions. Yes, such a smelly home flower can be seen in the collections of many lovers. By the way, a plant with such original inflorescences is an unusual addition to the design of many interiors.

Stapelia is a succulent that, like its hairs, is usually brownish in color.

African Hydnora

Another stinking flower called "gidnora" grows in the deserts of South Africa. The entire plant consists of just one flower. It appears over the dry sandy desert land after rains, emitting the aroma of excrement.

Its flower is orange, fleshy, reaching 10-15 centimeters in length. Although it emits a terrible fetid odor, its seeds and fruits are eaten by some animals (porcupines, jackals, etc.) and local residents.

Aristolochia gigantea

The list of bad-smelling plants also includes Aristolochia gigantea. She is originally from South America.

Grows in Panama and Brazil, less commonly in Colombia. The red flower emits a rather pungent, foul odor, with which all vacuum cleaners are well familiar. By the way, this aroma attracts bees and other insects.

The plant is often grown in botanical gardens. It is often called the Giant Pelican Flower. Many of its varieties have unusual insect traps. This flower is one of the largest and most bizarre on earth.

Lysiheton americana

Another stinking flower blooms in early spring (sometimes even late winter). Perennial Lysichiton americana grows along streams and rivers in moist coastal forests, as well as in swamps and other areas with high humidity. Their place of distribution is North America (west of the Pacific coast).

Plant height is 30-40 centimeters. Lysichiton is quite often used in landscape design.

Simplocarpus

A low-growing, foul-smelling plant grows in wetlands in the lower reaches of the Amur and Primorye rivers. They can be found in North America, Japan, and also on Sakhalin.

This plant is often called swamp cabbage, skunk cabbage (eastern) and many other similar names.

Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis

It is believed that the plant Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis has the most unpleasant smell. This original flower is one of the varieties of orchids. The plant is native to New Guinea. This flower, despite its rather unpleasant smell, reminiscent of rotting meat, is often grown at home as a houseplant.

Although many people associate flowers with a pleasant fragrance and beauty, in the world, as we see, there are a huge number of plants that have a delightful appearance, but emit a repulsive, unpleasant odor. All this was created by almighty nature for an easier way to attract pollinators to flowers.

What flower smells like rotting meat? and got the best answer

and slipway
A characteristic feature of these plants is the disgusting smell of the flowers. Polite English gentlemen call the smell of these flowers “bad-fish,” that is, bad fish. It's not difficult to explain. Think about how rich the selection of insects is in the African desert? No bees, no butterflies, no bumblebees... But there are frequent seasons of prolonged drought, leading to mass death of animals. The smell of carrion attracts countless hordes of flies. The slipways take advantage of this, luring insects to their fetid flowers. Inspecting one plant after another, flies transfer pollen from flower to flower.

But there is one species - Stapelia flavopurpurea (photo 1), the flowers of which smell like good church wax.
Aphorphofallus
The name of the genus comes from the Greek. Amorphos - shapeless, ugly and phallos - offspring, shoot. 100 species of unifoliate tuberous herbs with a pronounced dormant period, common in the tropics of Africa, Asia and Australia.
A very large herbaceous tuberous plant, which consists of one deeply dissected leaf blade on a straight, smooth, rather thick petiole, tall, covered with reddish-brown spots. up to 1 m. In its homeland it was called “snake tree”. During flowering, it emits a very unpleasant smell of rotting meat, attracting pollinating flies. After the plant withers and falls off, a leaf up to 1 m in diameter develops, thanks to which amorphophallus is bred as an ornamental foliage plant.

Answer from Oliya[guru]
rafflesia.
This plant has the most large flower and the ground part consists only of this flower, which is located on the ground itself. Not only does it smell like rotting meat, but the color itself resembles a piece of meat that is not the freshest. All these tricks are needed in order to attract hordes of flies, which pollinate the flower...

Answer from @Natusya@[master]
rafflesia

Answer from dragonfly[guru]
From indoors - slipway

Answer from Liza Morozova[active]
exactly what but I don’t remember the name

Answer from Irishka[master]
rafflesia

Answer from Olyashka[newbie]
I had one like this at home, only smaller in size))

Answer from Vladimir Koltunov[guru]
And by the way, not necessarily rafflesia. We have a plant on our windowsill - no one remembers where or when it came from. The leaves look like aloe, but are planted very closely - without a trunk. Looks elegant, like a rosette. And then one day a thin arrow comes out to the side - and then on it, a huge leathery flower - green, and beautiful, like a starfish. But it smelled like all the garbage dumps in the world, TAKEN TOGETHER

Answer from 0xDD[guru]
Rafflesia, by the way, is the largest flower in the world.

Answer from Mikhail B[guru]
Stapelia....

Answer from Valery Grigoriev[guru]
Rafflesia.

Answer from Ykvi[guru]
rafflesia

Answer from Galina Chadrintseva[guru]
amorphophallus