SALUTE SKUNK CABBAGE
The February EcoQuest Challenge is SALUTE SKUNK CABBAGE
The remarkable Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is native to the northeast, occurring in swamps and wet woods. A member of the Arum family, most of the plant is underground, anchored by active, contracting roots that pull the buried stem downward. The flower clusters are thermogenic, producing enough heat to melt snow and enable the plant to bloom in winter.
See the link here for more information on these remarkable plants. Visit the iNaturalist project page to see observations and stats.