Odd plant with pungent odor blooms in Four Arts garden

What is that smell?

What is that flower?

If you happen to be in the demonstration garden at the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach over the next couple of days, chances are you are smelling and seeing the bloom of the Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, known as the elephant foot yam.

The tuberous plant's bloom emits a pungent smell to attract pollinating insects. The blooms, which occur every few years, last about three days.

The plant is native to Southeast Asia and produces an edible tuber.

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The Garden Club of Palm Beach manages and maintains the demonstration garden.

Originally designed in 1938, the demonstration gardens educate residents and visitors about the diversity of plants that thrive in South Florida’s climate. The gardens are divided into themed spaces: Chinese Garden, Fragrant Moonlight Garden, Palm Garden, Bromeliad Garden, Jungle Garden, Spanish Façade Garden, Formal Garden, Tropical Garden, and Madonna Garden, according to the Four Arts website.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Odd plant with pungent odor in bloom at Four Arts garden