By Dr. Annkatrin Rose, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University:
Yes, it’s still January, but the first wildflowers are already up and blooming around Boone! Eastern skunk
cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is our earliest bloomer and poking out from the still somewhat snow-
covered muddy places that it likes to grow in. This plant not only doesn’t mind the cold, but it is actually
able to produce its own heat as an extra perk for its winter pollinators.
For this year, I’m trying out video reports for wildflowers in bloom. Check out the video for a look at the
skunk cabbages I found this past weekend!