'Like a gym locker': Auckland Zoo's stinky flower has bloomed - Wed 21 Oct

A rare flowering plant known as the Amorphophallus cognac has bloomed at Auckland Zoo, attracting attention for its distinctive and unpleasant odor reminiscent of rotting flesh. Reporter Karen Morris visits the zoo to explore this unique plant, which is part of its life cycle designed to attract pollinators like flies, rather than bees. The plant typically blooms for two to three days, but this particular specimen has lasted for six days due to favorable environmental conditions.

Monica Lake, Head of Zoo Environment, explains that the cognac plant originates from Southeast Asia and is cultivated as a food crop in regions like China and Japan. The plant's unusual smell serves a purpose in its reproduction process, as it lures flies that help with pollination. Visitors to the zoo are encouraged to experience the bloom before it fades, highlighting the plant's role in biodiversity and its connection to nature.

Herald NOW Reporter Kieryn Morris checks out the Amorphophallus konjac flower known for it's rotten meat odour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.