Titan Arum blooms at Comenius University Botanical Garden in Bratislava

The Amorphophallus titanum, known as the Titan Arum or corpse flower, bloomed at the Comenius University Botanical Garden in Bratislava on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The plant, which features the world's largest unbranched inflorescence, reached a height of nearly 170 cm.

Native to the rainforests of Sumatra, the plant is famous for its massive size and its intense odor, which mimics decaying meat to attract carrion-seeking insects for pollination. Botanists noted that the spadix, the central part of the flower, produces heat through alternative respiration, reaching temperatures of approximately 37°C to help disperse its scent.

Because the bloom lasts only a few hours and is highly unpredictable, the botanical garden adjusted its opening hours to accommodate hundreds of visitors. The plant requires several years to accumulate enough nutrients in its underground tuber, which can weigh over 60 kilograms, before it is capable of producing such a massive inflorescence.