<\/p>\n
\nThe voodoo lilies can be found in the foyer of Begonia House.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Samuel Rillstone\n<\/p>\n
‘Voodoo lilies’ are once again stinking out Begonia House at Wellington’s Botanic Garden.<\/p>\n
There are two lilies in the greenhouse, the Amorphophallus konjac and the Sauromatum venosum, both of which the Garden’s visitor experience manager Raydeen Cuffe said smelled “horrendous”.<\/p>\n
She said the Amorphophallus konjac smelled a lot like “wet dog” or “rotting flesh”, while the Sauromatum venosum smelled more like “sewage”.<\/p>\n
The Amorphophallus konjac flowers every seven years while the Sauromatum venosum flowers once a year – but when the latter flowers it takes about seven hours from start to finish.<\/p>\n
The Amorphophallus konjac at Begonia House are all in bloom, with an umbrella-like leaf, and their stench has now subsided.<\/p>\n
One of the Sauromatum venosum has also already flowered. Two more remain furled up in their pots, and are expected to bloom over the weekend.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nThe Sauromatum venosum flowers once a year.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Samuel Rillstone\n<\/p>\n
Consequently, Cuffe expects it to be a stinky weekend at Begonia House.<\/p>\n
“The gardener came in the other day and he thought the toilets had backed up but instead it was [the Sauromatum venosum] blooming.”<\/p>\n
Cuff said the reasons the plants were so pungent was they were trying to attract bugs and pollinators that went for carrion or decaying flesh.<\/p>\n
The plants, which originate from Asia and Africa, do however drastically vary in their function.<\/p>\n
The Amorphophallus konjac is edible, and Cuffe said it could be turned into a gelatine-like consistency to use in dishes. Meanwhile the Sauromatum venosum is poisonous.<\/p>\n
The voodoo lilies can be found in the foyer of Begonia House and Cuffe expects this weekend’s stinky blooms will attract a few punters.<\/p>\n
The tropical end of the Begonia House is currently closed for renovations but the remaining plant areas are open until early next year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nIt’s set to be a stinky weekend at Begonia House.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Samuel Rillstone\n<\/p>\n