swamp lantern

[piranha]

lysichiton americanus, western skunk cabbage. it well deserves its name, but aside from its foetid odour, it's actually a fascinating and useful plant -- it produces enough heat to melt the snow around it, which is pretty amazing. native peoples ate it (allegedly it tastes better than it smells), used the large summer leaves for lining baskets and wrapping around other foods, and the rhizome has medicinal uses. i've never tried to eat any part of it, but maybe this year. if i can make myself go close to it. i really like the way it looks though, it's delightfully odd.