People are standing in line for 2 hours to sniff a plant that smells like sh*t (PHOTOS)
By now, you’ve likely heard of the “corpse flower” at Vancouver’s Bloedel Conservatory, in Queen Elizabeth Park.
Affectionately named “Uncle Fester,” the rare plant is now in full bloom.
The species’ real name is the the Titan Arum, and the plant is native to the equatorial rainforests of Sumatra in Indonesia.
Horticulturalists with the Park Board noticed an 11-inch spongy flower bud on June 21, and by June 29 the same bud was 28 inches tall.
During its brief blooming period, the corpse flower typically attracts pollinators such as carrion beetles and flesh flies.
It also smells like sh*t.
But that hasn’t stopped people from braving the current heatwave in Vancouver to step outside and stand in line for up to two hours just get a whiff of their own.
🌞It’s a scorcher today and current wait time is about two hours to meet Uncle Fester. Please bring water and a hat, and stay safe in the sun while waiting in line. There’s a water fountain located just outside the conservatory. Thank you for your patience. #bloedelcorpseflower pic.twitter.com/FMEqUnSO6l
— Bloedel Conservatory (@BloedelConserv) July 16, 2018
The Vancouver Park Board acquired the stinky plant back in 2016 and this will be the first time the corpse flower will bloom in BC.
According to the Park Board, corpse flowers generally need seven to 10 years to bloom for the first time. Its next bloom may not occur for another two to three years, or even a decade, making this a truly rare occurrence.
If you’re looking to get in line to fill your nostrils with a scent that has been compared to hot garbage, feces, rotting flesh, and sweaty socks, The Bloedel Conservatory is extending its hours for this smelly experience, as the bloom only lasts for one or two days.
– With files from Vincent Plana
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