Skunk Cabbage
Araceae
photo by Jane
Bourquin
Medford Leas, March 8, 2004 - larger
photo
Interesting info:
More photos and info at laurentiancenter.com, the Aroid Society, and the Connecticut Botanical Society.
Mature leaves release an unpleasant odor when crushed.
Like many other dark-colored flowers, skunk cabbage is pollinated mostly by flies. One of the first plants to bloom in spring, its flowers are often partly or wholly hidden beneath last year's fallen leaves.The flowers actually produce heat -- a benefit to the flies out in cold weather.
Actual flowers
are tiny (located on the ball-like spathe inside the hooded spadix);
whole flowering structure is 3-5 inches high.
Reference: Connecticut
Botanical Society
You
ought to know:
Trail: TBD
Height: 1-3 feet
Frequency: High
Blooms: March