Overview
- The flowering-capable tuber of Amorphophallus titanum was removed from the Cycadeenhaus at the Alten Botanischen Garten in Göttingen sometime between June 14 and June 17, police say.
- Officers from Polizeiinspektion Göttingen have opened a theft investigation with no suspects and are asking anyone who saw people carrying a large or heavy object or a vehicle in the garden to call 0551/491-2115.
- The botanical team says the tuber was mature enough to produce a rare, short-lived bloom that emits a strong odor to attract pollinators, and that opportunity is now lost for the public and researchers.
- Police estimate the material damage at a mid three‑digit euro amount, emphasizing that the main loss is cultural and scientific rather than high monetary value.
- The case echoes similar thefts at other German gardens and poses practical challenges for investigators because the tuber is large and heavy, which makes covert removal difficult and increases the chance witnesses saw the removal.