Do Some Lilies Have a Really Bad Odor?

Voodoo Lily

• Native to Southeast Asia, the voodoo lily (Dracunculus vulgaris) casts an odor that is likened to the smell of rotting flesh. It uses this offensive odor to attract the scarab beetle as a pollinator. Despite its putrid odor, the voodoo lily is large and highly attractive, producing a 3-foot-tall flower with fringed edges in vibrant pink and purple. Another unique characteristic of the voodoo lily is its ability to change its inner temperature, a mechanism to stimulate pollinator activity. Even in the shade, the voodoo lily is capable of raising its temperature to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Dead Horse Arum Lily

• The dead horse arum lily (Helicodiceros muscivorus) is closely related to the voodoo lily, although this stinking flower is native to the islands of Corsica, Balearics and Sardinia in the Mediterranean. Another common name for this large and stinky flower is “pig butt arum,” due to the fact that the flower looks like the backside of a pig, tail and all. Like the voodoo lily, this flower has the ability to raise its inner temperature to increase its appeal to flies and other pollinators, only this large speckled purple flower emits the smell of rotten fish.

Stinking Corpse Lily

• The name says it all for the stinking corpse lily (Raffelsia arnoldii), native to the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo. This flower is endangered and holds the title of being the largest singular flower in the world. The stinking corpse lily measures up to 3 feet in diameter. It is also a parasitic flower, residing inside the wood of the Tetrastigma vine until the time that it bursts through and blooms. This unusual-looking flower has five fleshy petals that are red with white spots. Its rotting corpse odor is efficient in attracting predatory insects and flies, which assist in pollination and reproduction.

Scent of Garden Lilies

• While there are many flowers that bear the name “lily” that carry offensive odors, common garden lilies are fragrant with a strong perfume scent. They are commonly planted in flower gardens and used as cut flowers for table centerpieces and ornamental decor. Despite the general pleasantness of this smell, it is not uncommon for some people to find the scent of garden lilies overpowering and offensive.