Botanic Garden Educator Todd Brethauer said the stench occurs in cycles.

“The peak production of the chemicals, based on studies done in Germany and Japan, occurs around midnight and then it starts to taper off about four o’clock in the morning," he said.

This is to attract pollinators, like dung beetles and flies, rather than bees and butterflies. They frequent sweet-smelling flowers.

Although visitors were not able to appreciate the anticipated odor, they were still content to see the incredible plant in all its glory.

Only a few lucky people were able to witness the blooming of the titan. The plant collapses after 24 to 48 hours.