'Incredibly Large' And 'Notoriously Stinky': Chanel The Corpse Flower Blooms

SAN FRANCISCO — Chanel, the corpse flower at the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, is in bloom and wafting its famously rank odor for curious plant enthusiasts.

Described by the conservatory as “incredibly large” and “notoriously stinky,” the corpse flower or titan arum, as it is more formally known, blooms only once every three to five years for a mere two days.

The blooms can grow up to 10 feet tall and they smell like rotting flesh in order to lure pollinating beetles and flies. Corpse flowers are native to Sumatra, Indonesia, and are endangered.

Chanel, which last bloomed during the summer of 2022, started its current bloom late Tuesday, according to the conservatory.

Visitors can see (and smell) Chanel from 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday and during regular daytime hours in the conservatory’s West Gallery.

For information on tickets, visit gggp.org/corpseflower.