Lurking Skunk Cabbage

That smells like skunk....cabbage that is! You can find these plants in wetlands and in muddy areas within the woods. This was taken out in Norfolk right along the trail.

Here are the facts:

–Its flower is covered by a dark purple leaf known as spathe and it has no petals

–Generally it appears between late winter and late spring

–Most animals avoid eating it because it burns

–Leaves are lost each year and return for 20 years

–Native Americans used it for coughs and headaches

ADDITIONAL SOURCES

“Skunk Cabbage.” National Wildlife Federation.