In Dortmund’s Romberg Botanic Garden, the prized Amorphophallus titanum, nicknamed “Stinking David,” vanished after thieves buried its tuber under soil, the garden discovered during routine checks in late September.
Rare Bloom’s Rarity and Ruination
Amorphophallus titanum, also known as the Titan arum or “Corpse Flower,” blooms only every few years, producing the largest inflorescence in the plant kingdom and an intense odor resembling rotting flesh.
Steal and Burial Incident
Unidentified perpetrators dug a 20–30‑kilogram tuber out of its pot in the Romberg park garden and later replanted it under earth. During a routine inspection at the end of September, staff found the tuber missing.
Public Reaction and Official Appeal
Garden officials released a statement lamenting the theft, noting that thousands of Dortmund residents had waited for the next bloom in 2018 and 2021, and urged thieves to return the plant to restore a valued natural attraction.
Ecological and Economic Significance
The value of the stolen plant is difficult to assess, but it is considered a substantial loss for both the garden and the city; the flower originates from Sumatra.
