A flower that smells like “old socks” is making its UK debut at Kew Gardens. The false hydrosme, an endangered plant from Gabon, blooms for just 48 hours before wilting. The rare event is drawing visitors eager to experience its unusual scent and striking appearance.
Housed in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, this peculiar bloom flowered on March 13. Scientists and plant enthusiasts are celebrating the moment, as the flower’s short lifespan makes it a rare spectacle.
Rare Old Socks Flower Thrills Visitors
The Pseudohydrosme gabunensis, commonly known as the false hydrosme, is a plant native to Gabon’s lowland forests. At 20 inches tall, it is much smaller than the famous corpse flower, but its strong odour is just as remarkable.
The plant’s unique lifecycle makes its blooming unpredictable. Experts at Kew carefully pollinated it three years ago, ensuring it would be ready for this public display. Now, visitors have a limited time to witness its strange beauty.
According to Tom Pickering, head of glasshouses at Kew, the flower emits strong scents to attract pollinators quickly. “They have a short bloom, so they produce a lot of smells to ensure pollination,” he explained.
Why This Flower Smells So Bad
The false hydrosme’s foul odour isn’t just for show. It mimics the smell of rotting flesh to lure flies, which play a key role in pollination. Once inside, the bugs help spread pollen before escaping.
The plant’s deep red interior adds to the illusion, making it resemble decaying matter. This trick ensures it gets the attention it needs within its short blooming window.
Despite its unpleasant scent, the plant’s debut at Kew Gardens is causing excitement among botanists and nature lovers. As Pickering puts it, “It’s not beautiful, but it’s fascinating.”
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