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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Skunk Cabbage

     Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanum) has started springing up all around Juneau. This particular patch, near the Auke Village Recreational Area, had recently been visited by a black bear. Not only did I find signs of bear scat, but I also found a couple areas where the soil had been disturb from a bear digging up the Skunk Cabbages roots. I could see its path by following the cabbage that only had their yellow tops nibbled off.. Skunk cabbage is a favorite part of the black bears spring diet.

6 comments:

Leif Hagen said...

A beautiful flower even if it is a little stinky! Could have been a photo for a "mellow yellow Monday" theme!

T. Becque said...

I read about "skunk cabbage" in a children's book, I didn't know it was a real plant. This is nice with the curves and dew.

tapirgal said...

I posted skunk cabbage awhile back on Astoria, Oregon, Daily Photo. I didn't realize they are a favorite of bears. Any bears that would eat them are long gone, although I know people who have seen them. Actually, there are a rare few around. One was spotted a couple of years ago.

Kim said...

Thank you for sharing about the bear and the signs you found of its snacking. That is so interesting. I didn't realize how wide a range of growth this plant has. I was familiar with it from hiking on Mount San Jacinto (a desert mountain in Southern California) where there is a huge patch called Skunk Cabbage Meadow, and that stinks to high heaven at certain times of year. Do you know if this is a plant that uses flies for pollination?

Unseen India Tours said...

BEautiful and lovely shot !! Enjoyed the post !!

Small City Scenes said...

Oh it is growing everywhere here too. My Mother calls them 'Swamp Lanterns'. Isn't that a pretty name. So different from Eastern Skunk Cabbage too. MB