The Porn Star of the Plant World:The Corpse Flower

 

There is a Dirk Diggler in the plant kingdom. The Titan Arum or Amorphophallus titanum is considered one of the largest flowers in the world if not  the most symbolic.  Recently its flowering and deflowering occurred at the Botanical Garden Basel and had a pistil six feet high high. Thousands of well-informed experts were on hand to witness the performance. 

Even under optimum conditions, flowering is rare,  as are the 134 preserved specimens in botanical gardens around the world (about  half in the US), including one in Lansing Michigan that  opened and closed  in 2010.

 

 Phallic Flower Facts: the flower fades after a few days, alas, sometimes within 24 hours after hatching (erectile dysfunction)? However, the tuber does not die, usually producing a new flower about three years later.   Besides being visually spectacular, Penis Titanic fills all the senses. It is distinguished by its very memorable odour… the smell of decaying carrion. The stench is so bad is been known to turn away even its most ardent admirers won't  feel like dancing to Boogie Nights. It is also known as the corpse flower; Amorphophallus titanum in Latin means "giant deformed penis".

 Like too many flora all over the world, the species is endangered. There is no known use of any part the Titan Arum in perfumery. But if there was a perfumer and/or a brand who would  create the odor of corpse flower, or pay homage to its grand proportions.

Michelyn Camen, Editor-In Chief

Editor's Note: Our Reader Anna in Edinborough commented  the Titan Arum will have a one night stand at Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh  in a few weeks.

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11 comments

  • That's hilarious!
    Not sure which  perfumer could do something with this Amorphophallus titanum, but I noticed Andy Tauer was looking for ideas for a new fetish scent, well maybe this will come in handy (pun unintended).

  • I'm surprised that etat Libre d'Orange hasn't thought to use it yet.  Both it's fragrance and phallic-osity (?) are right up their alley. 😀

  • On the floor! If it was sourced into a fragrance, the bottle could be complementary shaped into…

  • Anna in Edinburgh says:

    One is due to flower in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh over the next few weeks  – I really don't know if I can bring myself to visit when it does. (Over-powering rotting meat in a hot confined space? Lovely!)

  • yup, i agree: if the thing will only smell of itself, it would have to be christopher brosius.
    (i'm still waiting for him to make a perfume that really smells of dried pine-needles basking in the sun…)
    but then again: how about anya?
    she did use goat hair in her "pan" after all…

  • Christopher Brosius was who I thought of as well. I had no idea there was one in Lansing MI. I'd have made the trip to see it. 

  • Hard to get your head (or hand) around this one, Ms. M! Three years is a long time to wait between sprouts!
    Yes, Micki B has it right, Etat Libre d' Orange would seem like the likely suspect to make this one come to life! 
    Maybe there is a phobia you can sort out.  This certainly can give one a complex!             

  • Paul Kiler says:

    Maybe Men have not commented because making a perfume out of the odor of decaying carrion is ridiculous.  And maybe because it is gift from God that has been "named" something stupid.