Well, that disgusting smell is coming FROM the flower garden. Recently -- knowing that I had had my own brushes with stinky plants (see sidebar) -- a Concordian emailed me to come and look at what was blooming in her garden: the so-called Dragon Arum (Dracunculus vulgaris).

In these photos, the spathe (the red part which looks like the blossom) is at least a foot long. This plant is native to the Mediterranean, Madeira and the Canary Islands. It is pollinated by flies -- clearly visible in some of the enlarged photos below (click to see a larger view). Thus the rotting-feces smell to attract them.

More Foul Smells from Concord Here is an audio clip of an National Public Radio story about stinky plants. Click here and then on the "Listen to NPR" link on that page. See it in bloom. See it in leaf.

The odd thing is that this homeowner doesn't remember planting it. And given that a mature bulb is 8-10" in diameter, I tend to believe her. Yet, she is the first owner of the house which was built just a few years ago. Before that, the land was an open field. And decades before THAT, it was an asparagus farm.

I think the appearance of this fascinating plant is proof of extraterrestrial life. "They" are sending us a message...I'm sure of it. If only we can decode it before it's too late...and "they" send more stinky-plants our way!

(click on any photo to see a larger version)

Photos: ©2003 Deborah Bier
Background: Hometown Websmith and Art Today.