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`Corpse flower': smelly, beautiful

Disgusting plant blooms and smells at New York City botanic

NEW YORK: New Yorkers can breathe easy again: The "corpse flower" has passed its smelly peak.

But the plant dubbed "Baby" may soon have some of its own.

It was the first time in 67 years that the odoriferous Amorphophallus titanum bloomed in New York City. The plant began blooming around 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. By that evening, it was giving off its signature pungent odour, a smell akin to rotten eggs or garbage left out overnight, that emanated well into Friday morning. But by Friday afternoon, visitors had to get right next to the unusual flower to take the smell. "Good thing it only lasts a day," said a visitor.

About 50 people who stopped by witnessed the next stage of the flower's life process: its pollination. — AP

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