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Araceae

 18-Symplocarpus spathes

[FMP-field: image]
Skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus, is a spring wildflower that is only found in wet, calcareous areas, such as seeps and the edges of springs. Like certain other Araceae, skunk cabbage can carry out a high enough rate of metabolism to produce heat! The spathes are warm enough to melt their way through the snow.
Photo by Robert A. Evers, botanist for many years with the Illinois Natural History Survey.
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