Lily kicks up big stink at show house

A gift with the power to repel has marked a new era of botanical co-operation between the Tauranga and Auckland city councils.

The "stink lily", a tropical plant whose putridly scented flower imitates the smell of rotting flesh, has been donated by Auckland's City Parks Service.

It is one of three donated lilies now on display in the Robins Park Show House on Cliff Rd.

Special name plaques for the stink lily, henry's voodoo lily and dwarf white voodoo lily were presented to Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby yesterday by Johan Swanepoel and Malcolm Smith from Auckland's parks service.

The stink lily (amorphophallus paeoniifolius), a native of Sumatra, has been described as having one of the ugliest flowers in the world. Its scent resembles a rotting carcass to attract pollinating flies.

It only blooms when mature and even then, it does not bloom every year. Visitors to the show house would not have to put up with the foul odour for long because it only lasts for a few hours after the flower opens for its five-day bloom.

During this putrid period, the plant even generates heat to further mimic a recently dead animal.

Tauranga's parks team manager Steve Webb said the three lilies were in the orchid cabinet and one of the other lilies was now in flower.

Mr Crosby, who politely did not refer to the stink lily's revolting smell, said he was really encouraged by the collaboration taking place between the two councils' parks teams.

"We are looking forward to further swapping of ideas ... hopefully there is something we can pass your way that is special to our city."

The three lilies were grown in Auckland's Domain Winter Garden.

Footnote: The stench of rotten meat featured in the aftermath of the Rena disaster when hundreds of lamb roasts washed up along Papamoa Beach.