Don't miss this rare treat...just hold your nose

SEATTLE -- It may be stinky, but it's pretty.

A rare corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanium) is in the early stages of blooming at the Volunteer Park Conservatory, and the conservatory is encouraging flower lovers to get a peek at the flower before it's gone.

The corpse flower was donated to the conservatory in 2006 from the University of Washington, Seattle Parks said. Blooming only every 7 to 10 years, this is the first time residents will get to witness the flower, located at the conservatory in the 1400 block of E. Galer Street.

The flower gets its name from its unique smell, which is said to resemble rotting flesh.

The conservatory is holding a contest to name the flower. Anyone who has a name for the rare should contact the Conservatory's Palm House or tweet to @Ivan_Von_Katzen.

The Conservatory is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. There is a $4 admission charge.