The botanical gardens in Leiden expects its amorphophallus titanum, the world’s biggest flowering plant, to bloom at the end of this month, reports ANP news service on Wednesday. It will be the first time in five years that one of these plants will flower at the gardens.

The amorphophallus titanium flowers just once in its lifetime after a growing period of between eight and 15 years. The bloom at the botanical gardens is expected to last just one day and two nights, says Art Vogel who is in charge of the greenhouse.
The amorphophallus titanium (also known as the penis plant) can grow up to three meters high and releases an intense smell when it is in flower. Experts describe the smell as a mixture of ‘decomposing bodies, rancid cheese and rotting fish’ says ANP.