SYDNEY — The enchanting yet repulsive bloom of Putricia, a rare corpse flower at the Royal Sydney Botanic Garden, has captivated thousands, with admirers flocking from all over Australia to catch a whiff of its notorious scent that recalls rotten garbage and decaying flesh. On Thursday, a remarkable turnout saw fans lining up for up to three hours to witness this rare plant, scientifically known as Amorphophallus titanum, which only blooms every 7 to 10 years in the wild.

Putricia is the affectionate name given by her followers, a combination of "putrid" and "Patricia," and her popularity has soared in the days leading up to her bloom. Following an impressive turnout of around 20,000 visitors, this marks the first bloom of a corpse flower at the Sydney garden in 15 years. According to HuffPost, her stunning transformation from a small 25-centimeter sprout to a towering 1.6-meter floral spike has sparked immense excitement.

Behind a backdrop of a purple curtain, festooned with mist from a humidifier, garden staff created a gothic presentation inspired by the likes of Queen Victoria's funeral and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Fans viewed the display from behind velvet ropes, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a rock concert. "We've had our moments of joy mixed with moments of 'What are we doing here?' but the reverence people feel for such a living being is palpable," noted garden spokesperson Sophie Daniel.

Social media played a significant role in enhancing the bloom's allure. A live stream of Putricia drew nearly a million views within a week, with users sharing memes and acronyms like "WWTF" for "we watch the flower" and "WDNRP" meaning "we do not rush Putricia." One devoted fan humorously stated, “Putricia is a metaphor for my life,” reflecting the plant's unique hold over her admirers.

As her bloom neared, she heated to 37 degrees Celsius (100 °F), releasing her potent aroma intended to attract pollinators like flies and carrion beetles. Garden staff have plans in place to hand-pollinate Putricia, ensuring diversity and survival for this endangered species, which numbers around 300 in the wild and fewer than 1,000 cultivated worldwide. AP News noted that some garden staff considered the need for vomit bags due to the overwhelming stench but ultimately decided against them, stating, “I haven’t heard of anyone actually being harmed.”

As the final moments of Putricia's bloom wilt away, thousands of fans continue to cherish the brief, yet poignant experience of connecting with this fascinating and foul-smelling marvel of nature.

For more details about this captivating event, visit South China Morning Post.