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The discovery of a rare orchid, known only to grow inside Yosemite National Park was announced by scientists this month. The orchid lives only in wet meadows between 6,000 and 9,000 feet and it’s certainly not the type of plant that florists will be rushing to obtain, since it is as foul smelling as sweaty feet.

The offensive orchid uses its rank bouquet to attract pollinators in the rarified air of the high country. U.S. Geologic Survey Botanist Alison Colwell was reported by the Associated Press to have said, “I was out surveying clovers one afternoon, and I started smelling something. I was like, ‘Eew, what’s that? It smelled like a horse corral on a hot afternoon.”

The plant is the only known orchid species indigenous to California’s Sierra Nevada range and grows in spring-fed areas between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. To read more about California plants, CLICK HERE.