A “corpse flower” is beginning to bloom at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, with crowds set to descend on the rare event.

The endangered flower, also known as bunga bangkai, titan arum, or amorphophallus titanum, is found in the wild only in the rainforests of western Sumatra.

It blooms only once every few years, for a period of 24 hours.

During this time, it gives off a scent similar to that of rotting flesh, hence the nickname.

“If you’ve got some wet teenage socks, throw that into a blender, then you get some cat food you’ve left out in the sun, whack that in your blender, and then get some day old vomit,” Botanic Gardens manager of volunteer programs Paul Nicholson said.

“Put that in the blender, blend it all up, rip the lid off. That’s the kind of smell you’re getting. It’s actually stunningly beautiful as well.”

The full blooming period is expected to take place between January 15 and January 20, though more precise timings will become available later.

“As soon as the flowering begins the plant will move to a location for public viewing,” the Gardens said.

“Entry will be via donation and the Garden will stay open until midnight for this special event. Further details and the exact location will be announced closer to the time.

It will be just the fifth such blooming at the Sydney gardens, the most recent being in 2010.

Other corpse flowers bloomed in 2004, 2008, and a double bloom in 2006.

More information will be available on the website in coming days.