A Titan of an Arum

Cairns residents and visitors are in for a special treat if the hurry to the Cairns Botanic Gardens. The Giant Arum Lily, Amorphophallus titan is in full "flower". This year it is massive with the flower approaching 3 metres in height. Last year's was nearly a record.

It is displayed in the new Conservatory, so if you have not had the chance to visit, this is the perfect opportunity. But it won't last long. In a few days the flower will begin to wither and that will be it. As of yesterday (8 Jan. 2016), the smell was not overwhelming--even to this non-smeller. But it will become overpowering in due course.

Everyone wants a photo. And not many cameras were in evidence. It's the phone that people were using.

That perfect shot.

The life cycle of the Arum Lily. This blog has covered these flowerings before. 

The girth of the flower this year is truly amazing and must be seen to be believed.
(By the way, these shots were taken with my phone!!)