Watch CBS News

Stinky Corpse Flowers Bloom First Time In A Decade

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Plant lovers in the Bay Area are getting a rare treat as two corpse flowers bloom for the first time in 10 years.

People are flocking to the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers after it issued a "stink alert" on Thursday that the giant plant from Sumatra was beginning to unfurl its frilly purple-and-green leaf.

When it's blooming the flower emits a stench likened to rotting flesh.

The conservatory is extending its hours Saturday so people can gaze at the giant flower and get a whiff of its putrid odor.

The plant was donated by a San Francisco man after it began to overtake his bathroom.

Meanwhile, a nursery in Sebastopol, about 50 miles north of San Francisco, is anticipating that its corpse flower will bloom next week.

© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.