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Cambridge University titan arum flower attracts crowds Cambridge University titan arum flower attracts crowds
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of people are expected to turn out to smell the "stench of rotting flesh" after a rare "corpse flower" finally bloomed. Thousands of people have queued up for a chance to smell the "stench of rotting flesh" given off by a rare "corpse flower".
A titan arum flowered on Saturday for the first time in 11 years at Cambridge University Botanic Garden. A titan arum finally flowered on Saturday for the first time in 11 years at Cambridge University Botanic Garden.
The bloom lasts just two days days and emits its smell to attract pollinators.The bloom lasts just two days days and emits its smell to attract pollinators.
About 1,000 people queued in the first four hours after the news was announced. More are expected later with the garden staying open until 22:00. A webcam trained on the plant as it prepared to open was so popular it crashed, and 1,000 visitors arrived in the first few hours after it bloomed.
The titan arum - Amorphophallus titanum - took its time to open, having first shown signs it might bloom on 6 July.The titan arum - Amorphophallus titanum - took its time to open, having first shown signs it might bloom on 6 July.
'Atrocious stench''Atrocious stench'
In the past week fans have been on "flower watch", with vast numbers logging on to view a live webcam trained on the plant, causing the camera to crash a number of times. In the past week fans have been on "flower watch", with vast numbers logging on to view the live webcam, eagerly waiting for signs of the massive flower finally opening.
When another specimen flowered in 2004 at the garden, about 10,000 people turned up to see it, with a further 250,000 enjoying the spectacle via webcam.When another specimen flowered in 2004 at the garden, about 10,000 people turned up to see it, with a further 250,000 enjoying the spectacle via webcam.
This latest specimen has been nicknamed "Tiny Titan" as it is well below the normal flowering weight of 15kg (33lb).This latest specimen has been nicknamed "Tiny Titan" as it is well below the normal flowering weight of 15kg (33lb).
It finally began to bloom late on Saturday afternoon.It finally began to bloom late on Saturday afternoon.
The pungent plant emits its foul odour mainly at night by heating itself up to about 40C (104F).The pungent plant emits its foul odour mainly at night by heating itself up to about 40C (104F).
"The heat helps to distribute sulphurous compounds - the atrocious stench - across vast distances in its native Sumatra to lure its pollinators, thought to be carrion beetles and blowflies," Prof Beverley Glover, director of the garden, said."The heat helps to distribute sulphurous compounds - the atrocious stench - across vast distances in its native Sumatra to lure its pollinators, thought to be carrion beetles and blowflies," Prof Beverley Glover, director of the garden, said.
"The stink, which comes in pulses through the night, has been described as being like 'rotten eggs', 'dead donkey', 'dirty laundry' and 'smelly feet'," she added."The stink, which comes in pulses through the night, has been described as being like 'rotten eggs', 'dead donkey', 'dirty laundry' and 'smelly feet'," she added.
However, staff are keen to know what visitors think, and are collating these "smells" via Twitter @CUBotanicGarden using #tinytitan.However, staff are keen to know what visitors think, and are collating these "smells" via Twitter @CUBotanicGarden using #tinytitan.
The Botanic Garden will be open until 22:00 BST on Sunday to enable visitors to smell titan arum "at its night-time stinkiest". The Botanic Garden will be open until 22:00 BST to enable visitors to smell titan arum "at its night-time stinkiest".