One of the surprising things is: the flower deploys a spathe that, at the same time, supports the opening of the spadix, similar to a mauve spike. This flowering only takes place three or four times throughout the forty years that the plant lives.the growth phase being the most interesting aspect of the flower.
During this growth, in which the spadix progressively takes shape, the flower emits a pestilential aroma that reaches a radius of almost 2 kilometers, making it unbearable for the very presence of human beings. The smell, neither more nor less, has the function of attracting pollinating insects that usually lay their eggs on rotting meat, the same smell that a plant acquires that overheats its leaves (it can reach up to 36º C) and, instinctively, expels trying to attract insects that ensure the continuation of the species.
Despite this, since it does not have leaves, the corpse flower does not carry out photosynthesis. On the contrary, they obtain all the nutrients they need from trees and pods in which they stay. Currently, the species is in danger of extinction due to excessive and indiscriminate deforestation in Sumatra.