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Franklin Park Zoo's 'Corpse Flower' In Bloom

Morticia, Franklin Park Zoo's corpse flower, in full bloom. (Franklin Park Zoo)
Morticia, Franklin Park Zoo's corpse flower, in full bloom. (Franklin Park Zoo)

A giant plant at the Franklin Park Zoo known as the corpse flower because of the rotting flesh stench it gives off has bloomed.

Zoo officials say the plant native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra started to bloom on Tuesday and typically stays in flower for a short period of time.

The zoo's plant, dubbed Morticia, can be viewed for free at certain times on Wednesday.

Zoo officials say about 9,000 people have already stopped by for a whiff.

Witnessing the plant officially known as amorphophallus titanium bloom is a rare opportunity as they only flower every few years.

Botanists say the smell attracts insects to pollinate the plant.

A corpse flower bloomed at a Georgetown greenhouse earlier this month.

This program aired on June 20, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

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