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The rare, stinky corpse flowers draw flies and long lines of humans to The Huntington
By Sammy Marvin at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 13, 2026
· 4 min read
The two corpse flowers on display at The Huntington's botanical gardens are expected to garner thousands of visitors in the coming days. (Makenna Cramer / LAist)The rare corpse flowers at The Huntington are finally blooming, producing a scent comparable to rotten flesh. Or is it stinky gym socks?...
Key takeaway “It's hilarious because when people come in, everybody has a different perspective on what they smell,” said Brandon Tam, the associate curator of the orchid collection at the Huntington.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The corpse flower's brief blooming period at the Huntington's botanical gardens is a significant event for Los Angeles County, drawing thousands of visitors and putting a spotlight on conservation efforts. As one of the largest corpse flower collections in North America, the Huntington plays a crucial role in preserving this endangered species, with fewer than 1,000 believed to be left in the wild. The institution's conservation work has a direct impact on the local community, providing a unique opportunity for education and research. With the Huntington's location in San Marino, the blooming of the corpse flowers also highlights the importance of botanical gardens in the Greater Los Angeles area, serving as a hub for community engagement and environmental awareness. As the flowers reach their peak, the event is expected to generate significant interest and attention, showcasing the Huntington's commitment to preserving rare and endangered species.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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What is this story about? The two corpse flowers on display at The Huntington's botanical gardens are expected to garner thousands of visitors in the coming days. (Makenna Cramer / LAist)The rare corpse flowers at The Huntington are finally blooming, producing a scent comparable to rotten flesh. Or is it stinky gym socks?...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sammy Marvin at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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