Edmonton – A rare plant with a very distinguishing aroma has bloomed at Edmonton’s Muttart Conservatory.
Putrella the Corpse Flower, which gives off a smell many liken to rotting meat, bloomed on Monday.
The City of Edmonton describes seeing the rare and endangered plant “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The opportunity doesn’t last long. The flower blooms for 36 hours.
“It’s very exciting,” says Muttart head grower James McIvor. “In under 40 days, Putrella has grown from a bud, less than an inch tall, to this incredible display. I can’t tell you how fortunate I feel to be able to see a Corpse Flower in bloom.”
The city says it’s the first time a Corpse Flower has bloomed in western Canada.
The Muttart Conservatory is extending its hours Monday to allow as many people as possible to see and smell Putrella in bloom.
The facility will be open 9 am to 11 pm.
[storify url="A unique corpse flower at Edmonton's Muttart Conservatory bloomed overnight and is emitting a foul odour like rotting meat. People are taking notice.