Early Spring in the Rain Forest

[Laurence]

It isn't actually Spring, of course, but the Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanum) is the first harbinger of the approaching long days.

These are small samples, probably about 6 inches in height. At this stage they are very fresh looking. Some of the biggest plants can be 3 feet high with leaves over 6 feet long, especially in the Sylvia Creek valley.

The very large Skunk Cabbages are great for warming up your hands on a frosty morning. The spathe has chemical reactions taking place that keeps the internal temperature in the 50 degree fahrenheit range.


Jupiter-9 85/2






Soligar 35-70 Macro Zoom (I think)

[Orio]

Very cute little guy!

[Richard_D]

I particularly like the three bold colours in the second.

[patrickh]

Did you hold your nose? When I lived in Connecticut these were always the first things out, but I have not seen as many over here in the West. That Jup is a nice little lens - I am still trying to get used to mine.


patrickh

[j.lukow]

[Laurence]

Thanks guys! You make me laugh with your funny comments!

Regarding the smell - in actuality I LIKE the smell of Skunk Cabbage. It is certainly reminiscent of an actual Skunk odor, but somehow more "earthy" and clean to me.

The plant itself is AMAZING. If you get a chance to read up on it, you'll see some characteristics of the Skunk Cabbage that are extremely unusual. It is a sort of "prehistoric" plant, but with "modern" designs!