Also known by two other common names, Yellow Arum and Swamp Lantern, this perennial is common at low and middle elevations along the west coast and further inland (except Queen Charlotte Islands). Its cousin which lives in eastern Canada and U.S., has greenish flowers and slightly smaller leaves. It has a different Latin name and is therefore a different species that the one that grows in the west. Both species belong to the Arum family.

Early in the spring, in March or April, the Skunk Cabbage pokes its yellow 20 cm (eight inch) spathe and spadix (flower and spike) out of wet areas where it thrives. It is one of the earliest to flower and as a result, has developed a stinky skunky smell to attract small flies and gnats who hibernate under dead leaves in the nearby forests. Bees will pollinate the flower later in the spring once they become active.

Sometimes, the green leaves will appear at the same time as the flowers, but most often, the bright yellow flowers are all that is seen for a week or so. The leaves are said to be the largest deciduous leaves in North America, growing to 1.6 meters or 5 feet in length. These large leaves were used by most First Nations people like wax paper which lined steam pits.

Skunk Cabbage prefers 'swamp' areas near alder and conifer stands. It also prefers wet areas that get a lot of sun. Note the word swamp is in quotations, because there is no such thing as a true swamp on the weSt coast where it grows. In this use, 'swamp' simply means an area which is wet or seeping year round. The leaves and roots contain calcium oxalate crystals which get imbedded in the throat and stomach lining of those who consume it. The crystals irritate and burn the throat and stomach. Oddly enough, black bears dig and eat the roots in the spring to clean out their intestines after the long winter fast. How they can tolerate these crystals is not known.

In late summer, the leaves begin to fall over and are eaten by slugs and other decomposers. The seed heads on the spadix begin to fall apart and drop angular seeds in the wet soil below.

All signs of the Skunk Cabbage disappear over the winter when the plant dies back, leaving only the underground stems to grow plants the next spring.

While you may not appreciate the smell of the Swamp Lantern, it is worth the energy to look closely at its flowers with a hand lens. You will see tiny perfect flowers covering the spadix, complete with stamens, pistils and greyish anthers.

If you are interested in growing these, visit www.gardenweb.com, become a member and add skunk cabbage seeds to your trade wanted list.