Top 7 Worst-Smelling Flowers in the World

Known by names such as the toad flower, giant Zulu flower, and starfish flower, Stapelia gigantea originates from South Africa and is often grown as a potted plant elsewhere. Its flowers can grow up to 30 cm in diameter, and its stems resemble those of a cactus. These star-shaped blooms typically appear in September, releasing a distinctive, decaying odor. Their colors vary, with the tan flowers covered in fine white hairs that attract flies for pollination.

The parasitic plant Hydnora Africana is native to the dry deserts of Southern Africa, growing entirely underground. These parasites rely on the roots of the Euphorbia plant for nourishment. The flowers, which emerge from the sand, are a fleshy red color and attract black beetles with their distinct odor.

This ornamental plant originates from the Northwestern Mediterranean region. It has a horse-patterned skin and emits the foul odor of rotting meat, constantly releasing its scent to attract unusual insects for pollination.

On warm sunny days, the flower folds and releases its stinky aroma, drawing flies into its depths where they get trapped inside.

Similar to the skunk cabbage found on the western side of the Pacific, the eastern regions also host a similar plant. This species thrives in swamps, growing in areas where it is at risk of extinction.

In the spring, its flowers bloom prolifically, growing up to 10 cm long and 15 cm high. As they mature, their color darkens to shades of purple or brown. The flower leaves also become more vibrant green as the flower opens, releasing its signature foul odor of skunk musk.

Not only one of the largest flowers in the world, it is also known as the 'corpse flower' due to its distinctive rotting smell. Native to the tropical forests of central Sumatra (West Indonesia), this flower, scientifically named Amorphophallus titanium, is preserved at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the UK.

Amorphophallus titanium is actually not a single flower but a cluster of thousands of tiny flowers beneath the main blossom, known as an inflorescence. This is considered the largest flower cluster in the world, reaching heights of up to 3 meters. Despite being rare, its scent is incredibly unique and unforgettable. However, the smell serves the purpose of attracting pollinators such as beetles and flesh flies.

This is another flower known for its 'dead body' smell. Native to the tropical forests of Sumatra and Borneo (Indonesia), locals describe the scent as similar to rotting meat. Rafflesia is a parasitic flower that grows on the Tetrastigma vine. It lacks leaves, stems, roots, or chlorophyll.

Rafflesia absorbs water and nutrients from the host vine, making it extremely difficult to locate in the wild. When it’s ready to reproduce, it forms a cabbage-like bud that blooms after a year. The flower then opens its petals, but the bloom lasts only a few days before it shrivels and transforms into a round, fruit-like structure.

Native to the wetlands of the Pacific Northwest, this flower emits a scent irresistible to flies and beetles.

Although much smaller than the 'corpse flower', the distinctive odor of the skunk cabbage flower rivals that of other notorious blooms. Interestingly, this plant is known for its medicinal properties, particularly as a natural laxative.