Overview

In an extraordinary natural event, the infamous "corpse flower," known for its dreadful stench, is captivating audiences worldwide as it prepares to bloom in Australia. This rare phenomenon has sparked immense online interest, with thousands tuning into a live stream to witness the flower's grand unveiling.

About Putricia

Nestled in the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney, the titan arum, affectionately named Putricia, boasts a unique characteristic: it blooms only once every few years and lasts a mere 24 hours. When it finally unfurls, Putricia will emit a pungent scent compared to "wet socks, hot cat food, or decaying possum flesh." Idealizing the waiting period, fans engaging in the live stream have humorously adopted acronyms like "WWTF" for "We Watch the Flower" to share their anticipation.

Growing Interest

On Thursday, the live stream exploded in popularity, attracting over 8,000 viewers simultaneously, a number that doubled within hours as Putricia's transformation unfolded. John Siemon, the director of horticulture and living collections at the gardens, drew a striking parallel between this event and the Sydney 2000 Olympics, revealing that 15,000 visitors had flocked to the gardens even before the flower had fully opened.

Putricia's Journey

Putricia is a decade old, having arrived from the Los Angeles Botanic Garden when she was just three years old. After seven years of meticulous care, the garden is thrilled to exhibit its first bloom in 15 years. “We’re incredibly excited,” Siemon expressed to the BBC's Newsday program.

The Blooming Process

As the livestream audience watches eagerly, viewers can expect to see Putricia reveal a dazzling maroon or crimson spathe, gracefully opening around her central spadix – the large spike characteristic of the plant. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the exact timing of the bloom, the enthusiasm among internet spectators remains fervent.

Viewer Reactions

Comments from viewers highlighted the affectionate bond forming with the flower, with one remarking, "Putricia is taking her time like the queen she is, fair play." Another participant humorously added, “This is the slowest burlesque ever,” while one more playfully declared, "I watched overnight, fell asleep, woke up, then watched again. I am weak, but Putricia is strong. WWTF."

Physical Attributes

The titan arum is not only a marvel due to its size – it can reach a height of up to 10 feet and weigh 150 kilograms – but also because its inflorescence is the largest of its kind globally. When in bloom, the yellow spadix emits a fetid odor designed to attract pollinators, who are often tricked into believing they’ve found rotting meat.

Conservation Status

Originally native to the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, the titan arum is endangered in the wild due to factors such as deforestation and habitat loss. Putricia is just one of the few titan arums in the Sydney gardens, which also hasn't seen a bloom in over a decade. Similar flowers have recently blossomed in various Australian locales, including Melbourne and Adelaide.

Global Significance

Globally, titan arums are also housed in Kew Gardens, London, where one flowered as recently as June of last year. The very first titan arum to bloom outside of Sumatra did so in Kew in 1889, marking the beginning of its fascinating journey across the globe.

Conclusion

As the anticipation builds for Putricia's bloom, the internet remains captivated, eager to share in the moment – a truly unique spectacle that celebrates nature's eclectic beauty!