Foul-smelling "corpse flower" a scent-sation at Smith College

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - It's a rare flower that is becoming a big attraction in Northampton, mainly because of its unpleasant smell.

The Titan Arum, or “corpse flower,” is native to the rainforests of Indonesia, and it only blooms once every four to five years. But if you are in Northampton, you can catch a glimpse of this rare wonder.

Manager of Education and Outreach Madelaine Zadik says the smelly flower gets its name because it's pollinated by insects that are attracted to the smell of rotting flesh.

But it’s not just stinky; it’s also big. The Titan Arum can boast flower stocks up to nine feet in height.

The flower is being displayed at the Smith College Botanic Garden, and Zadik says it has quite the following.

“People are very excited about it, people are calling from all around, and we've put out the word and it's on our Facebook page. So people are waiting anxiously we are getting a lot of calls, 'when is it going to be open?' but we don't know exactly,” Zadik said.

Zadik says the flower only lets off the pungent odor once it blooms; something that is not set to happen for another week.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the corpse flower, or if you’re interested in seeing it in person, visit smith.edu/garden.