Yellow Harbinger

one of the first signs of spring here is the yellow skunk cabbage plant, also known as lysichiton americanum, a member of the arum family of flowers.

the flowers will cover the green spadix in the center, which is hooded by a large yellow spathe.

the skunky smelling plant was important to indians who used it for medicinal, food and other purposes.

it grows in bogs and swamps in the oregon rain forest.