The skunk cabbage is identifiable from great distances by its distinct, earthy smell. They can be found in patches, as a sort of colony in moist habitats such as in swamps and near rivers. Their large, leathery, billowing leaves create a prehistoric aesthetic appearance. The central flower is on a spadix and covered by a yellow spathe.
It smelled weird
extremely large round leaves that droop slightly; curved yellow flower in the center
Lysichiton americanus found on the side of the road in marshy area.
Seems like it will be flowering for a while! Bears eat this as a laxative after they come out of hibernation!
In full bloom this week in the ravines of the park.
Western Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), sometimes called yellow skunk cabbage, is a plant found in swamps and wet woods, along streams and in other wet areas of the Pacific Northwest, where it is one of the few native species in the arum family, together with the duckweeds. The plant grows from rhizomes that measure 30 cm or longer, and 2.5 to 5 cm in diameter. The leaves are the largest of any native plant in the...
