Image – Wikimedia Commons / SofianRafflesia
Although there are plants that smell very good, there are others that, on the contrary, produce flowers that have a bad smell. They are those that most people do not want to have in their garden, despite its extraordinary beauty. And it is that in some cases it is so intense that it is possible to perceive it several meters around.
Would you like to know their names? Perhaps you dare to cultivate them, or you prefer to keep them away from you. In any case, below you will be able to discover them.
Amorphophallus titanum (Corpse flower)
Amorphophallus are rhizomatous plants that grow in rainforests from Africa to the Pacific Islands. One of the most popular species is the Amorphophallus titanumwhich reaches a height of one meter. Its flower, known as a corpse flower due to its bad smell, weighs an extraordinary 15kg.
Aristolochia grandiflora (Pelican flower)
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Maja Dumat
Known as pelican flower, this deciduous climbing plant native to the Caribbean that leaves no one indifferent. It does not usually exceed half a meter in height, but with its heart-shaped leaves and yellowish flowers with a reddish center whose smell is not pleasant, it is one of those species that is worth growing if it is put away from the areas of passage.
Trilobe (Like)
Image – Flickr / Plant Image Library
It is known as asimina or Florida custard apple, and it is a shrub native to the eastern United States. It reaches a height of 5 meters, and Despite the foul smell of its flowers, it is one of the most recommended fruit trees to grow in cold climates.: supports up to -25ºC, and lives wonderfully in places where summers are mild and winters are cold. Of course, although the fruits are edible, having a sweet taste, the seeds are poisonous so it is important that they be removed especially before offering a fruit to children.
Winged growth (Jicaro)
Image – Wikimedia / Aqiao HQ
The Winged growthknown as Mexican zucchini or jícaro, is an evergreen tree native to Mexico to Costa Rica. It reaches a height of 8-14 meters, and produces yellow and purple flowers throughout spring and summer. These sprout from the trunk, and their scent is the flies’ favorite. Although it is not pleasant for humans, the plant has several uses: the pulp of the fruits is used to treat respiratory problems, the seeds are consumed for their sweet taste, and the rind of the fruit is made into bowls and the like.
Dracunculus vulgaris (Flytrap)
Image – Wikimedia Commons / P.Pickaert
The Dracunculus vulgarisnative to the Mediterranean, it is a very ornamental plant. In fact, in North America it is common to see it in both private and botanical gardens. However, popularly it is known as a flytrapAnd no wonder. Its flower gives off an aroma reminiscent of meat and, of course, flies do not hesitate to visit it.
Helicodiceros muscivorus (Yaro flytrap)
Image – Wikimedia / Göteborgs Botaniska trädgård
Known as yaro flytrap, it is a natural plant of the Balearic Islands, Corsica and Sardinia. It is the most curious, because is capable of increasing its temperature to attract its pollinators: blue flies. For this reason, it is known as yaro flytrap. Its smell is very unpleasant, since it resembles that of rotten meat.
Rafflesia arnoldii (Rafflesia)
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Henry Ishihara Globaljuggler
The Rafflesia arnoldii It is a very curious parasitic plant (that is, it feeds on nutrients obtained by other plants) that lives in the warm and humid jungles of Southeast Asia. It is a plant that has no leaves, and whose stem is very short. His flower, which can weigh up to 10kgIt is considered the largest in the world and can measure more than 100cm in diameter. Another of the peculiarities of this plant is its smell, and especially its heat. Yes Yes, it is capable of emitting heat energy to attract insects.
Stapelia grandiflora (Stapelia)
Image – Wikimedia / Rosa-Maria Rinkl
The Stapelia grandiflora it is a succulent plant with much prominence in collections of desert plants or similar. Native to the African continent, it grows to a height of 10-15cm. Its flowers are very pretty, but its smell is not suitable for sensitive noses.
Symplocarpus fetidus (Fetid cabbage)
Image – Wikimedia / Alpsdake
Skunk cabbage, or, as it is also known, swamp cabbage, is a plant native to eastern North America that grows to around 50 centimeters in height. It first produces its flowers in spring, and later when they wither, the leaves sprout. If a stem is cut it emits a very bad smell, which is why it is known as fetid cabbage. Like other species, it is also capable of increasing its temperature, both to protect itself from the frosts that are registered in its natural habitat and to attract its pollinators.
Do you know other flowers that have a bad smell? What do you think of the ones we have taught you? The truth is that some are beautiful, but without a doubt it is better to put them in areas that are a bit secluded.
