We are used to plants smelling good. What's more, sometimes we get some species exclusively for their aroma. The truth is that most flowers have pleasant smells, although there is a group of plants that smell bad. The reason? Apparently the foul smell is necessary to attract pollinating insects more easily.
Amorphophallus titanum
In addition to having the most stinky smell, these plants are usually characterized by being large. One of the best known is the amorphophallus titanum, which can grow to 6 meters and its flowers can reach two meters. The smell is absolutely unpleasant, similar to that of a decomposing animal: a mixture between feces and rotten meat. Very recently a plant of this same group and very similar to the previous one, including the smell, although smaller, called amorphophallus perrieri, was found in Madagascar.
Hydnora africana
Another plant that smells terrible is hydnora africana, which also serves as a prison for its pollinators. It is a species without chlorophyll native to southern Africa. The plant grows underground, except for a fleshy flower that emerges above the ground and emits a smell of feces to also attract their natural pollinators.
Orbea variegata
Nor is the smell of the orbea variegata. It is a plant belonging to the Asclepiadaceae, with fleshy and smooth stems. However, its peculiarity lies in the fact that it gives off a frankly unpleasant and strong odor.
Rafflesia
Finally, we want to talk about the rafflesia, a genus of parasitic phanerogamic plants, containing several species and usually growing in high humidity environments. The flowers smell like bad meat and, generally, its fruit is eaten by arboreal shrews and forest animals.
Luckily you can't smell it through the screen!
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