Witness the Blooming of the Corpse Flower!

I recently had the chance to see the rare blooming of the Titan Arum, known for its corpse-like odor, at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This fascinating plant not only emits a strong smell to attract pollinators but also mimics mammalian body temperature. The bloom lasts only two days, and upon hearing about it, I quickly purchased a ticket from Kew's website (student tickets are £9 on weekdays, with ID required). The best entrance is Victoria Gate, and from there, head to the Princess of Wales Conservatory. At the first fork, take the left door for a quicker route. The conservatory is quite narrow and crowded, so it's advisable to take photos swiftly to avoid congestion. Since it's a tropical plant, the conservatory is quite warm; wearing a short-sleeve shirt with a jacket is recommended. The flower has a small opening for pollination, which might explain the lack of odor in the space. Some visitors noted the smell comes in waves. I was fortunate to witness this rare bloom, which I've only seen in documentaries and books before! Additionally, Kew is hosting an exhibition by artist Marc Quinn, inspired by nature and science. The exhibition, Light into Life, runs until October 29th and is spread across the garden, mainly around the Temperate House and Palm House. The guide map provided at the entrance shows the locations of these beautiful artworks, which are not to be missed! #CorpseFlower #TitanArum #LondonLife #KewGardens #RoyalBotanicGardens #UKExhibitions #WeekendInLondon