Buzz
While we admire flowers for their vibrant colors, unique shapes, and delightful fragrances, these features aren’t designed for us. They serve to attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. However, some plants target flies and beetles that feed on decaying matter. To lure these insects, certain flowers produce a scent reminiscent of rotting flesh. Known as carrion flowers, these plants come in various forms. Below, we highlight some of the most extraordinary examples.
1. Rafflesia arnoldii
This striking red flower, found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, grows as a parasite on the roots of a specific vine. It’s one of the largest flowers in the world, reaching up to three feet in diameter. The buds take months to mature, and the blooms last only a few days. It belongs to the Rafflesia family, all of which rely on flies for pollination.
2. Pawpaw
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Native to the eastern regions of North America, these small understory trees produce fruits often likened to mangos in texture and bananas in taste. However, their delicate nature makes them unsuitable for shipping or long-term storage, so they’re rarely found in commercial markets. The trees rely on flies and beetles for pollination, and their large, drooping flowers feature a purplish-red hue reminiscent of flesh.
3. Stapelia gigantea
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This African succulent is known for its star-shaped, hairy flowers, which display a striking yellow hue with red veins. Despite their visual appeal, these flowers emit a foul odor similar to decaying flesh. Often referred to as a toad plant, various species of stapelia are popular as houseplants globally.
4. Mexican Cala or Jicaro
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Native to Central America, this tree produces foul-smelling trumpet-shaped flowers that grow directly on its branches and trunk. Its fruit, which resembles a hard gourd, contains edible seeds. The durable outer shell is frequently crafted into jewelry and bowls.
5. Amorphophallus titanum
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This plant’s name translates to “giant misshapen phallus” in Greek. It thrives in the rainforests of Sumatra, sharing its habitat with the Rafflesia. Its towering flowers can reach up to 10 feet in height and are pollinated by both beetles and flies.
6. Birthwort
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A climbing vine with heart-shaped leaves and toxic tubular flowers, Birthwort is native to Europe. Historically used in medicinal practices for pregnant women, it was later found to cause severe kidney damage.
7. Western skunk cabbage
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Known for its pungent, skunk-like smell, this plant thrives along streambanks in the Pacific Northwest, extending from Alaska down to Santa Cruz. Its vibrant yellow flowers bear a resemblance to calla lilies.
8. Stinkhorn mushrooms
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This group of mushrooms emits a foul odor reminiscent of decaying flesh and feces, which attracts flies. These insects aid in spore dispersal, enabling the mushrooms to reproduce effectively.
9. Stink Lily
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The Dracunculus vulgaris, commonly called the stink lily, originates from Greece and nearby regions. Its dark purple flowers exude a meat-like scent. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in North America.
10. Dead horse arum lily
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Native to the Mediterranean, this plant attracts blowflies for pollination—the same flies that lay eggs in corpses and assist forensic experts in estimating time of death. Its beefsteak-hued flowers produce heat, mimicking the warmth of decaying flesh to lure flies into believing they’ve found a meal.
