Monday, April 27, 2009

Skunk Cabbage/ Macro Monday

Eastern Skunk Cabbage, Clumpfoot Cabbage, Foetid Pothos, Meadow Cabbage, Polecat Weed, Skunk Cabbage, or Swamp Cabbage

Whatever you call this plant, it's botanical name is always Symplocarpus foetidus and is a symbol of early spring. Here rising above the muddy ground you see the ball-like spathe inside the hooded spadix, which is approximately four inches high. The flowers are actually tiny and located on the spathe. The plant's leaves have not yet appeared.

Leaf beginning to grow among three purplish-brown and green spadices


Please note: Today's Flowers is the post below.

To see more macro shots visit Lisa's Chaos at http://lisaschaos.com
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23 comments:

  1. Small City ScenesApril 27, 2009 at 2:38 AM

    Thanks for posting these. They are similar yet so different from the Western Skunk Cabbage. Who knew???? MB

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  2. judi/GmjApril 27, 2009 at 6:47 AM

    Pretty little things! :)

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  3. AnonymousApril 27, 2009 at 7:12 AM

    Wonderful to see the skunk cabbage. I like it but not the smell. LOL.

    The Hamlet of Gordon

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  4. margieApril 27, 2009 at 7:55 AM

    mmm, coleslaw.

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  5. ShammickiteApril 27, 2009 at 9:28 AM

    I'll have to go out in our local conservation area and hunt for these strange plants.

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  6. RoseApril 27, 2009 at 9:35 AM

    I wondered what skunk cabbage looked like...just never throught to look it up online.

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  7. SherrieApril 27, 2009 at 10:16 AM

    Hi!
    Great close ups!! I've heard of Skunk Cabbage but never saw it before! Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!!

    Sherrie

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  8. DarlaApril 27, 2009 at 10:47 AM

    First, I thought skunk cabbage looked different. Then I saw the first post and SCS says Western Skink Cabbage looks different so maybe that's the answer.

    Darla (our West)

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  9. PERBSApril 27, 2009 at 11:43 AM

    I have heard of this but never seen it before. I like the spath tremendously!

    I also left a comment on two others below this one.

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  10. cieldequimperApril 27, 2009 at 1:38 PM

    These are really weird! Nice macro shots.

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  11. Betsy Banks AdamsApril 27, 2009 at 3:09 PM

    I've never seen this spring plant before, EG... I've heard the name--but hadn't ever seen it... Interesting!!! (Does it smell as bad as the name indicates???? ha)

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  12. Cezar and LéiaApril 27, 2009 at 6:00 PM

    Another fantastic picture! Congratulations!
    Léia

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  13. LowellApril 27, 2009 at 9:37 PM

    Beautiful! Why is it called a skunk cabbage...does it smell skunky?

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  14. BeckyApril 27, 2009 at 10:31 PM

    Oh yes, we have lots of these, and most of them are leafed out now. I do love the red color.
    B.

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  15. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪April 28, 2009 at 3:07 AM

    Thanks for visiting my site. Yes, it sounds funny when you read me writing about autumn when you are enjoying spring.

    I am Down Under in New Zealand. Our seasons are opposite of you.
    I have never seen a Skunk Cabbage. Do they stink like a skunk?

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  16. JudyApril 28, 2009 at 10:24 AM

    I am fascinated with the red spadices, but I have not found any in this neck of the woods!! So happy you have them, and could show them!!

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  17. EG CameraGirlApril 28, 2009 at 8:59 PM

    Jacob,

    Yes, but only sometimes. Not the day I took the photo. ;-)

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  18. AnonymousApril 28, 2009 at 9:35 PM

    Very interesting. I've never seen this before.

    Paz

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  19. Sniffles and SmilesApril 30, 2009 at 3:59 AM

    Terrific shots! Congrats on POTD!

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  20. Rune EideApril 30, 2009 at 4:08 AM

    And I thought it was some kind of mussel! Congarulation with David's honour - much deserved.

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  21. Reader WilApril 30, 2009 at 4:10 AM

    Your macro shots are so excellent! Thanks for sharing.

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  22. VALKYRIENApril 30, 2009 at 5:11 AM

    Interesting plant! And congrats with the POTD! Well deserved!

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  23. Cheffie-MomApril 30, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    Very, very interesting! Congratulations on the Post of the Day Award!

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