Amorphophallus titanum
New Reekie, our extraordinary titan arum
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The endangered Amorphophallus titanum (titan arum) is famously known for its size, smell, and the relative rarity of its bloom. Often called the corpse flower in honour of its unforgettable stench during flowering, our sensational plant is affectionately called New Reekie (a nod to Edinburgh's nickname 'Auld Reekie').
A first for Scotland
The spectacular flowering of New Reekie at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 2015 was a first for Scotland and marked the culmination of years of expert care by the Garden's horticulturists to successfully replicate the conditions this rare plant would experience in its native West Sumatra rain forest.
Bloom alert 2024
New Reekie has flowered four times so far, most recently in June 2022, and we are now preparing for the latest bloom.
As the Glasshouses are currently closed for renovation, as part of the Edinburgh Biomes project, we are exploring opportunities for the public to visit New Reekie. Details will be announced soon, look out for the latest updates on social media.
Watch the spectacular blooming of New Reekie, 2022