Are “Spring Plants” Already Coming To Life ?
(Sunday, February 20, 2005) The water in the at Woodland Dunes Nature Center is still frozen. However, on some of the warmer and sunny days, the spring thaw is slowly beginning. There is even some flow. The water of the swales flows to the north east. There will soon be a lot of green beginning to show, especially near the opening water, as the ice slowly disappears. The very first plants to look out from under their winter cover may not be green. It is the time of the year for the “odorous” skunk cabbage to advertise itself to trail hikers and early insects. The small pointed tip of this flower will become visible in several weeks. Sometimes the plant even pushes up through ice to reach the daylight. To learn where its name comes from, make the necessary effort to get down close enough to excite your nose. This odor along with the red color of the spathe (tightly coiled leaves of the emerging flower), attracts carrion flies that pollinate the flowers. Skunk cabbage flowers are formed
