Stolen in Dortmund: The 30‑Kilogram Corpse Flower Disappears During Its 24‑Hour Bloom
At Rombergpark Botanical Garden in Dortmund, Germany, the world’s stinkiest plant has vanished. The Amorphophallus titanum, a 30‑kilogram giant nicknamed the corpse flower, disappeared from public view. It blooms for roughly 24 hours every few years and releases a powerful odor that visitors describe as a mix of damp socks and rotten meat. In 2021 thousands arrived in Dortmund to witness its rare bloom.
In This Article:
What Is the Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum)?
Amorphophallus titanum is one of the planet’s most dramatic plants. It weighs about 30 kilograms and its bloom lasts only about 24 hours, every few years. In the wild, around 1,000 specimens remain. The Dortmund plant, nicknamed David, last flowered in 2021, drawing thousands of visitors to witness the rare event.
The Heist, the Hype, and a Global Echo
The theft of David shocked the garden staff. "David's theft has been a big shock for us. Many Dortmund residents were waiting for the next flowering. We hope the thieves will regret their decision and return the plant." The corpse flower’s profile was boosted again when it bloomed earlier this year at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. John Simon, head of horticulture and living collections, noted: “By the time the flower opened, 15,000 visitors had passed through our gates.” The Dortmund plant is about 10 years old; we acquired it from the Los Angeles Botanical Garden and have cared for it for seven years.
Science Behind the Stench: Putrescine and the Odor Cocktail
Researchers from Dartmouth in 2024 uncovered the science behind the odor. The stink arises when a part of the plant heats up, triggering a cocktail of chemicals: dimethyl trisulfide, dimethyl disulfide, trimethylamine, isovaleric acid, and indole. These compounds produce aromas described as cheese, garlic, rotten fish, sweaty socks, and feces. The plant also releases putrescine, the same compound associated with the decomposition of corpses. These findings explain why the corpse flower inspires such revulsion and curiosity.
