An endangered plant, known as the "corpse flower" for its foul odor, is on the verge of blooming in Australia, captivating the internet. The titan arum plant, housed in the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney, blooms once every few years for only 24 hours.
Fondly nicknamed Putricia, it emits a stench likened to "wet socks, hot cat food, or rotting possum flesh". The anticipation surrounding Putricia's bloom has sparked humor and a unique vernacular in the livestream's chat, with many users using acronyms like "WWTF" (We Watch the Flower).
Currently, viewers see Putricia standing tall behind a red rope, occasionally with visitors taking selfies. When she blossoms, viewers can expect a maroon or crimson skirt, known as a spathe, to unfurl around her spadix.
The Gardens mention the challenge of predicting Putricia's bloom time, yet this hasn't deterred the online audience. Comments range from admiration ("she's still taking her time like the queen she is") to playful impatience ("the slowest burlesque ever").
Popular acronyms among viewers include WDNRP (We Do Not Rush Putricia) and BBTB (Blessed Be The Bloom). The plant, native to Sumatra, Indonesia, known locally as bunga bangkai, is endangered due to deforestation.
Putricia is one of several titan arums in Sydney, with the last bloom occurring 15 years ago. Other corpse flower blooms in Australia, including Melbourne and Adelaide, have drawn thousands of curious visitors looking to catch a whiff.