Corpse flower comes back to life

The flower only stays in full bloom for two days

One of the smelliest flowers in the world is drawing hundreds of people to the Eden Project in Cornwall.

The Titan arum - or the corpse flower - reached 164cm (5.4ft) tall after beginning to bloom earlier than expected in Eden's Humid Tropics Biome.

It is only the second Titan to flower at Eden. It stays in bloom for 48 hours before its central spike decomposes.

The spike heats up and gives off the smell which, while revolting to humans, is very alluring to insects.

Its usual home is the tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia.

Horticulturist Tim Grigg raised it from a seedling after it was first planted nine years ago at Eden's Watering Lane Nursery.

A spokesman for the project said the Titan had bloomed particularly early and had attracted massive interest.

Titan arum Full name: Amorphophallus titanum Originates from Sumatra Its nickname is the corpse flower

He said: "The Titan has now gone into full flower and smell and has perhaps another 24 hours to go before it flops over and dies.

"It has created a huge amount of interest here with visitors, we've had schoolchildren and TV crews coming to have a look and thousands more going on our webcam.

"The few that have flowered before in the UK have been later in the year. We think this one has bloomed in February because of the record warmth last year and very mild winter."

Don Murray, Eden's rainforest curator, said: "The Titan is causing a sensation among visitors and we have to let them know that it gives off a unique odour when it is in its final hours.

"The newly-installed webcam will allow it to be seen from Bodelva to Brisbane and all around the world.

"The only downside for internet viewers is that they won't be able to 'enjoy' the smell and feel the heat."