Visitors are flocking to a Grand Rapids botanical garden to get a whiff of the unpleasant-smelling "corpse flower" that's in full bloom for the first time in 18 years. The Amorphophallus titanum known as the "corpse flower" began blooming Wednesday at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. The garden's staff nicknamed the flower "Putricia" for its putrid smell often compared to rotting meat. The flower is opening for the first time since it was planted in 2000.
Meijer Gardens Director of Horticulture Steve LaWarre says the flower's signature stench lives up to the hype. Visitors have described the smell as rotten Vidalia onions and mice in an old gym bag. LaWarre calls it a "beautiful stink." He says it's something exciting to experience.
The flower will only stay open for a few days.