A rare plant known as the world’s smelliest flower has been stolen from a botanical garden in Germany, according to international media reports.
The theft of the unique plant went viral on social media, prompting police to launch a search operation. The stolen specimen, nicknamed “David,” was kept at the Römber Botanical Garden and weighed around 60 pounds. Staff discovered its disappearance during a routine inspection.
The plant, scientifically named Amorphophallus titanum, is more commonly known as the Titan Arum or “corpse flower” because of the foul odor it emits when it blooms—an odor so strong that it can spread across an entire city.
Standing several feet tall, the massive flower is often mistaken for a plant due to its size and structure. However, scientists confirm it is indeed a flower since it grows from a seed, forms a bud, and undergoes a full blooming process.
The Titan Arum is considered one of the rarest flowers in the world, known for blooming only once every few years and remaining open for just 24 hours. Experts estimate that only about 1,000 of these plants remain globally.
Local authorities are continuing their investigation to recover the stolen specimen, which holds both scientific and ecological significance.