The World’s Largest And Smelliest Flowers

Published January 15, 2013
Updated February 27, 2024

Raffesia

With a three-foot diameter and 24 pounds of flowery might, the raffesia is, unsurprisingly, the world’s largest individual flower on earth–and the smelliest. Reeking of decaying flesh, the raffesia, much like the dead horse lily, uses its insufferable stink to attract pollinators within various Indonesian forests. The spineless, rootless and malodorous parasite isn’t all bad, though; after all, it is one of Indonesia’s three national flowers.

Raffesia Flower

Source: Pelauts

The World's Largest And Smelliest Flowers Raffesia

Source: What A Bloom

Largest Smelliest Flowers Raffesia 4

Source: Potokito

The Star Flower

Star Flower

Source: De Endeveras

The star flower comprises approximately 40 species, almost all of which can be found stinking up the terrains of South Africa. With a hirsute, flesh-colored appearance, many liken the flower to rotting meat. In that light, then, its nickname of “carrion flower” makes complete sense.

World's Largest And Smelliest Flowers Star Flower

Source: Wikipedia

Largest Smelliest Flowers Starflower 3

author
All That's Interesting
author
A New York-based publisher established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science to share stories that illuminate our world.
editor
Savannah Cox
editor
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.