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[Faith Kent]

There are some huge and foul smelling plants out there. Here’s a list of a few of the most interesting.

10. Western Skunk Cabbage



This plant gets its name from the skunk-like odour it lets off to the entire surrounding area. The smell can even be noticed in very old, dried out specimens. The foul smell attract pollinators, beetles and other insects. It’s found in damp areas such as swamps and wooded areas.

[Faith Kent]

9. Voodoo Lily



This large lily gives off a smell similar to a rotting carcass in order to attract Lucilia flies and other insects. The plant traps them for a full day and night then releases them with lots of pollen.

[Faith Kent]

8. Jack the Pulpit



Above the male flowers there is a ring of hairs that act as an insect trap. The pollinators get trapped and covered in the plant’s pollen as they try to escape.
All parts of the plant can cause an allergic reaction and some parts give off heat and odour to attract insects.

[Faith Kent]

7. Dead Horse Arum Lily



This ornamental plant is native to the Mediterranean region and gives off a smell of carrion to attract blowflies and other insects. It’s a rare thermogenic plant, which means it can raise its temperature to attract even more insects.

[Faith Kent]

6. Hydnora Africana



This is a parasitic plant that grows on the roots of the Euphorbiceae species that grows underground in the deserts of South Africa.
The flesh-coloured flower emerges from the soiland gives off a smell of faeces to attract pollinators such as dung beetles and carrion flies. The flower will trap the beetles that enter so they can cover themselves in pollen. Then when the flower fully opens again they are allowed to leave.

[Faith Kent]

5. Star Flowers



These succulents grow amazing hairy flowers that give off the smell of rotting flesh. They blooms are very big and the larger the species the more pungent the scent. The hairs on the flower are there to resemble a layer of mould that grows on rotting meat.
Blow flies act as pollinators and a lot of flies will actually lay their eggs inside the flower, as they would with a rotting carcass.

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