Eastern Skunk Cabbage

 We went on a lovely 3 mile walk at Center Point Preserve today. The trail was surprisingly dry even after all the snow and rain of late. We are always thrilled to see skunk cabbage in one small wet area on the trail.

Eastern Skunk Cabbage is a native wildflower in the eastern part of North America. It is one of the first plants to flower in springtime and is found mostly in wetlands. It is thermogenic, which means that it can produce its own heat, and indeed can melt snow surrounding it. What you see in early springtime are just the flowers. The red "leaves" you see in these photos are called spathes (which are modified leaves associated with reproductive organs.) The flowers are inside. As far as the name Skunk Cabbage, these plants produce a strong odor that increases as the plant matures. This odor attracts pollinators like beetles and flies.

The plants arise from rhizomes underground. The species name is foetidus meaning "bad smelling."

The spadix is the structure that develops the flowers. Female flowers develop first, followed by male flowers. The female flowers become unreceptive by the time the male flowers form to prevent self-fertilization. By the way, it is the spadix that generates the heat.