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“Habitat loss is the main driver for this flower going endangered,” Esau added. “Land that used to be dense tropical forests and the Titan Arum Lily’s majestic home are now vast areas of palm oil plantations. Although we aren’t directly involved in the conservation of the Titan Arum Lily itself, the spectacle of the flower at the gardens is a wonderful educational prompt to the public.
“The Titan Arum Lily is a good example of the urgency of conservation efforts needed to protect and nurture indigenous species. Our own local fynbos suffers from a similar level of pressure from land-use change from surrounding agricultural and residential zones. Although not as large or smelly, the fynbos is home to numerous breathtakingly beautiful flowers that occur only there and are rapidly yet silently being lost.”
Esau further said SUBG staff have made huge efforts to mitigate species loss and continue to educate and promote conservation of local, endemic habitats.
“An example is its new Cape Lowland habitat beds, harbouring fragments from surrounding areas such as Littlefoot, Koringberg, Duthie Nature Reserve and Blaauwberg, all highly pressured by urbanisation and alien invasives,” he related.
“The Titan Arum Lily is a marvel to behold and a stench to remember. So be sure to visit the botanical gardens before the time is up!”
