ST. LOUIS —Plug your nose because a corpse flower is about to bloom at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Commonly known as a titan arum, or “corpse flower,” it is a large, fast-growing plant in the Aroid family. The plant, native to Sumatra, Indonesia, is known for the intense, foul odor emitted from a tall spike of small flowers, often lasting just 24 hours. The smell and plant coloration mimic rotting flesh to attract pollinators such as flies, according to a press release.

The plant is listed as dndangered in the wild by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Species.The Missouri Botanical Garden grows titan arums as part of its commitment to plant conservation. A titan arum can take five to ten years to grow from seed until it is ready for its first bloom. Since 2012, the Garden has hosted 17 Amorphophallus titanum blooms.

This particular plant, Lucy, is blooming for the first time! It is a seven-year-old tuber weighing 30.5 pounds. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden gifted Lucy to the Missouri Botanical Garden in 2019. Lucy is the third to bloom from this 2019 gift and is currently located in the Climatron.

Garden experts estimate Lucy will bloom between May 29 and June 5.

Viewing is included with Missouri Botanical Garden admission of $16 for general admission and free for children ages 12 and under. St. Louis City and County residents enjoy discounted admission of $6 and free admission on most Wednesday and Saturday mornings until noon. Missouri Botanical Garden members are free.