Titan Arum (Amophophallus titanium) is the world's largest flower. Originally from the island of Sumatra in the South China Sea, it was discovered in 1878 and cuttings were shipped to the Kew Gardens in London.
The Titan Arum plant grows 10 cm a day to a height of about two metres. When in full bloom the flower's diameter is about 1.1 metre.
It flowers very rarely and it first did so in 1889. The giant plant emits a sickening smell and this attracts insects to pollinate it. It is said that when the flower first bloomed in London, people fainted because of the smell.
by G. V Joshi at www.hindu.com
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