Eastern Skunk Cabbage: Difference between revisions
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Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is a perennial herb native to eastern North America with its range extending from southern Canada in the north, south to North Carolina, and west to Minnesota [1]. Eastern skunk cabbage is a plant in the family Aracea, a mostly tropical group of plants [3]. This plant is characterized by its large dark green leaves (up to 2ft in length) as well as the large flowering structure called a spathe [2]. Most significantly, the plant is named due to the unpleasant odor that is emitted from it's flowers and damaged leaves [3]. | Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is a perennial herb native to eastern North America with its range extending from southern Canada in the north, south to North Carolina, and west to Minnesota [1]. Eastern skunk cabbage is a plant in the family Aracea, a mostly tropical group of plants [3]. This plant is characterized by its large dark green leaves (up to 2ft in length) as well as the large flowering structure called a spathe [2]. Most significantly, the plant is named due to the unpleasant odor that is emitted from it's flowers and damaged leaves [3]. | ||
== Habitat | == Habitat == | ||
The eastern skunk cabbage is found almost exclusively in moist, swampy conditions [4]. It typically thrives in wet, water logged [[soil]] that it is able to anchor itself into using its long and contractile roots [4]. This tolerance to such wet conditions makes the plant a common site on moist forest floors, in swamps, or along stream banks [4]. This plant can also tolerate heavy shade, making it especially adapted to life on the forest floor. It's large leaves are an adaptation that allows it to capitalize on the low amounts of sunlight that it gets [3]. | |||
== Life Cycle == | == Life Cycle == | ||
Revision as of 20:51, 10 May 2022
Description
Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is a perennial herb native to eastern North America with its range extending from southern Canada in the north, south to North Carolina, and west to Minnesota [1]. Eastern skunk cabbage is a plant in the family Aracea, a mostly tropical group of plants [3]. This plant is characterized by its large dark green leaves (up to 2ft in length) as well as the large flowering structure called a spathe [2]. Most significantly, the plant is named due to the unpleasant odor that is emitted from it's flowers and damaged leaves [3].
Habitat
The eastern skunk cabbage is found almost exclusively in moist, swampy conditions [4]. It typically thrives in wet, water logged soil that it is able to anchor itself into using its long and contractile roots [4]. This tolerance to such wet conditions makes the plant a common site on moist forest floors, in swamps, or along stream banks [4]. This plant can also tolerate heavy shade, making it especially adapted to life on the forest floor. It's large leaves are an adaptation that allows it to capitalize on the low amounts of sunlight that it gets [3].