{This Moment} See Beautiful: Stink Lily

6/14/2014

Typist: Bethany
Jason and I have an amazing lily blooming in our backyard, that in over 10 years in our house, we don't remember seeing before (or when we last saw, it had much smaller flowers.) We both had to look up what variety of lily it is. While out in the yard with the dogs on Friday evening, I stopped to take a photo of the lily. It looked so beautiful after the rain! The dogs didn't let me take the photo without them, however, which is fine because I think all photographs are more beautiful with dogs. So without further ado, here is the Dracunculus vulgaris also known as a as the Dragon Arum, Black Arum, Voodoo Lily, Snake Lily, Stink Lily, Black Dragon, Black Lily, Dragonwort, Ragons or Drakondia with Brychwyn, Huxley and Wilhelm too.

Voodoo Lily photo Voodoo-Flower-smaller_zpsaf07eed5.gif

Jason told me his research on the lily might explain why the dogs were so interested in being near it; apparently one of it's aliases as a Stink Lily is because of it's unpleasant odor. I didn't notice the flowers smell from my position but I think the dogs did... and it seems like the lily's odor might not be repugnant to them. After all, everyone sees (or smells) beautiful in their own special way. Apparently these are photos of something, if judged with all senses, might be difficult to consider beautiful.

Have you ever seen or sniffed a Stink Lily?

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23 Comments

Amie link

6/13/2014 04:45:59 pm

I saw one for the first time today in a Wallingford front yard! And I only saw it the third time I walked past it. It was so big I almost think it hadn't opened until this evening.

Bethany

6/13/2014 05:17:24 pm

Flowers in our garden are opening faster than I can keep up with so it wouldn't surprise me if the lily opened between your passings. Our Stink Lily still has three more huge blossoms to open and I haven't smelled it yet I am very glad it is in our backyard!

Ann link

6/13/2014 05:13:15 pm

Hmmm interesting! Don't think I've ever seen one before.

Bethany

6/13/2014 07:42:28 pm

According to (a sparse) Wikipedia article on the flower, they might not be in your state... and you probably don't want that smell in your greenhouse!

Molly The Wally link

6/13/2014 07:27:31 pm

Some stinky goodness in that lily for sure. Have a super Saturday.
Best wishes Molly

Bethany

6/13/2014 07:43:53 pm

Next time we are out in the yard, I may have to give Brychwyn and Wilhelm a boost so they can get a better Stink Lily sniff like Huxley did!

Amy link

6/13/2014 11:22:06 pm

So how cool is that?! I love the deep purple color of that lily.

Bethany

6/14/2014 06:30:46 pm

A surprise flower in our own yard is pretty special... especially one with such a stunning color!

Oz the Terrier link

6/13/2014 11:54:52 pm

Well, one persons ugly is another's Beautiful I guess. That is a very pretty lily though I do not know how much it "stinks" since I've never seen one in person before. It seems the dogs like it though!

Bethany

6/14/2014 06:29:42 pm

I still haven't sniffed it and I am not sure I will... I think I will stick with enjoying it's visual loveliness!

Idaho PugRanch link

6/14/2014 12:17:55 am

what a beautiful and interesting flower! Thanks for stopping by!
hugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Greta

Bethany

6/14/2014 06:34:37 pm

Thank you. We are so lucky to get to enjoy this lily blossom and a soon a few more... hopefully that won't be too stinky!

Jackie Bouchard link

6/14/2014 12:40:52 am

Gorgeous! That looks way too lush to grow in So Cal! Never seen one before. Wondered why the dogs were so interested, but if it's stinky, that makes perfect sense. (Or scents...)

Bethany

6/14/2014 06:36:40 pm

I didn't know it was a Stink Lily or notice the dogs sniffing it until I came inside and sat down at the computer. It's pretty funny! Fortunately Huxley is the one who can best reach the lily blossom but also is the least likely to roll in stinky stuff.

Susan and the gang from Life with Dogs and Cats link

6/14/2014 03:46:45 am

Stink Lily? Love it. Proof that nature is very creative.

--Wags (and purrs) from <a href="http://www.lifewithdogsandcats.com" rel="nofollow">Life with Dogs and Cats</a>

Bethany

6/14/2014 06:39:58 pm

Indeed! Supposedly the bad smell is so the lily can use flies as pollinators... but dog noses might work too!

cheryl

6/14/2014 04:38:48 am

i've smelled them, and frankly, I'm surprised the dogs are not rolling on i! that was the first thing i though of when i saw the top picture! *phew*

Bethany

6/14/2014 06:32:59 pm

Jason said he thinks if the lily were closer to the ground that they would try to roll on it. I think we will cut the lily's flowers and compost them before it fades that much... phew indeed!

PepperPom link

6/14/2014 05:57:57 am

I've never seen that kind of flower before. If it stinks, I'd probably try to roll on it. BOL!
Hugs,
Pepper

Bethany

6/14/2014 06:38:51 pm

Jason and I are going to try our best to keep the Stink Lily scent off of Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley, Pepper, but we'll let you know if they have any Stink Lily rolling fun!

Golden Woofs: Sugar link

6/14/2014 01:36:50 pm

Oh We love Lily plants too. Oh Stinky Lily plant is Beautiful. LOVE the deep purple color. Woofs to the crew for Seeing Beauty. Golden Thanks for joining our See Beautiful hop. Golden Woofs

Bethany

6/14/2014 06:41:06 pm

We are honored to have finally joined the hop... because you know we are always seeing (and often smelling) beautiful!

Rebecca link

6/16/2014 03:33:04 am

Beautiful flower! Love that vibrant color.

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Cascadian Nomads adventurous dogs and parrot with pet and travel blogger, Bethany Clochard.

Cascadian Nomads canines and psittacine on a road trip with blogger Bethany Clochard.

Pet travel blogger Bethany Clochard shares a lifetime of budget travel experience, camping, and enjoying outdoors & Pacific NW adventures with pets. She currently hits the road with three dogs, a cockatoo & a cat.

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