Rare 'Corpse Flower' about to bloom at San Diego Botanic Garden
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- One of the world's rarest, foul-smelling plants can be found in San Diego County and is expected to bloom over the coming week.
A corpse flower currently on display in the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory at the San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG) in Encinitas will offer visitors the chance to smell its famous, pungent odor -- but only for a short period of time.
The blooming of a corpse flower is a rare sight and typically takes seven to 10 years to produce its first blooms. After their first bloom, subsequent events only happen every four to five years, the garden says.
A corpse flower is seen at the San Diego Botanic Garden. (San Diego Botanic Garden) 
A corpse flower is seen at the San Diego Botanic Garden. (San Diego Botanic Garden) 
A corpse flower is seen at the San Diego Botanic Garden. (Matthew Glasser) 
A corpse flower is seen at the San Diego Botanic Garden. (Matthew Glasser) 
A corpse flower is seen at the San Diego Botanic Garden. (San Diego Botanic Garden)
Once it reaches full bloom, the corpse flower's smell will only last about 48 hours before the plant begins to close and slowly decay.
Native to the rainforests of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a corpse flower is an endangered plant that attracts carcass-eating insects. The conservatory at SDBG is intended to replicate the humid climate in which the plant thrives.
The garden's corpse flower was donated to the garden in 2016, but this will be the first time it has ever bloomed.
Since the plant is expected to emit the strongest odor in the evening, the garden will extend its hours for the first two nights after the flower blooms to give visitors a better chance to see -- and smell -- the special event.
The dates will be announced on SDBG's social media pages and website. Ticket reservations are required.
SDBG members and children 2 and under get free admission. Tickets for non-member adults are $18 and $10 for children ages 3-12.
