Rare Plant: After Titan Arum Theft, Dortmund Gets a New 'Giant Stinker'

Dortmund's Rombergpark Botanical Garden is once again buzzing with anticipation, this time for a new, yet-to-be-named Titan Arum, affectionately referred to as 'the New One.' Die Zeit reports on the garden's efforts to replace a beloved specimen, 'David,' which was stolen last autumn, highlighting the unique appeal of this rare and notoriously smelly plant.

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We hope that in a few years, it might grace us with a bloom.

The previous Titan Arum, 'David,' was a crowd favorite, blooming in 2018 and 2021, drawing thousands of visitors with its spectacular, albeit pungent, display. Its mysterious disappearance from its secure enclosure left both the garden staff and the public disappointed, with investigations ultimately being closed. The loss of 'David' left a void, as the plant only blooms every few years, making each flowering event a significant occasion.

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The tuber is still missing to this day.

Now, a replacement tuber, sourced from the Botanical Garden in Freiburg, has taken root in Dortmund. Hendrik Denkhaus, a scientific employee at the Rombergpark, expressed optimism about the new plant's progress, noting its first leaf has already emerged. The garden is implementing enhanced security measures, including a new, theft-proof pot, to protect this valuable specimen. Die Zeit captures the community's engagement, as suggestions are being sought for a name for the new Titan Arum, fostering a sense of shared ownership and excitement for the potential future bloom of this extraordinary plant, a true symbol of nature's bizarre wonders.

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I am very excited about what will come from the people of Dortmund - maybe a female name this time.