Stein's Virtual Herbarium--Skunk Cabbage

Skunk Cabbage
Habitat: Swamps, bogs, seepage areas, and very moist depressions in woods. The first flower to bloom in late winter, as early as late January. Skunk cabbage produces heat which melts the surrounding snow or ice in order to produce a flower. (The skunk cabbage produces heat by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation from the electron transport system. Thus, the temperature might be as high as 60^o F, regardless if the air/ground temperature is below freezing).

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