A rare flower which stinks of rotting flesh is blossoming outdoors today for the first time at a botanic garden in the UK.

The Devil's tongue arum (amorphophallus rivieri ''Konjac''), which stands 60cm (23.6in) tall, has been grown at the Ventnor Botanic Garden on the Isle of Wight.

The plant, which is related to the world's largest flower (amorphophallus titanium), originates from Indonesia but has never been grown before outdoors at a British botanic garden.

As well as its distinctive smell, the plant is said to have medicinal properties to help reduce blood sugar levels.

Simon Goodenough, the garden's curator, said: ''It might not be the prettiest or the sweetest smelling flower in our collection, but for curiosity value it is certainly well worth a visit.

''We are both surprised and delighted that the Devil's tongue arum is in flower considering the incredibly harsh and snowy winter we endured this year.

''Here at Ventnor we have many unusual plants from around the world but this has to be one of the most impressive sights we have seen for many years.

''Whilst we cannot claim to be the first to flower this plant in the UK it is probably the only time, or one of a very few times, this has ever been flowered out of doors.

''The island's unique climate has enabled us to create the perfect conditions for the plant to thrive and our hard work has come to fruition with the flowering of this plant.''