DC exotic corpse flowers: 3 smelly plants set to bloom

(AP) -- Three exotic corpse flowers at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington are about to bloom and unleash their reeking scent.

The plants are expected to reach peak bloom between Aug. 17 and 22. While blooming, they emit an odor similar to rotting flesh.

The corpse flower doesn't have an annual blooming cycle, so public viewings are relatively rare.

The plant native to the tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, blooms only when sufficient energy is accumulated, which the garden says can take between few years to more than a decade.

The Botanic Garden has set up a livestream for viewers to keep an eye on the corpse flowers.