March 12 Skunk Cabbage Growing Fast

A few weeks ago I reported on the growth of skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) on one the springs in the Arboretum's Wingra Woods. I later realized that I had photographed the wrong plant, and have since corrected that mistake. I decided to go check on the cabbage patch this afternoon and found that dozens of new plants had sprouted up that I had not noticed just a week ago! Now there are skunk cabbage covering this little wetland, and they are shaded in all colors of red, purple, green, and gray. It's a whimsical, beautiful scene and a sign of the speed with which our new season has arrived. Plants and animals are ready to move and grow and reproduce as soon as they get the cue from shortening nights and above-freezing temperatures. This streak of amazing weather has been more much more than a cue. However, trees and wildflowers are not breaking buds or popping out of the leaf litter just yet. Over generations, they (the ones that die) learn that a freak ice storm or a foot of snow can still happen until about the end of March. Thus, despite the warmth, many plants will wait for a specific ratio of daylight to darkness for their signal to start growing. Some, though, will likely take the risk to get a jump start on growth if temperatures stay up. So start looking to see which individuals and/or species are brave enough to risk getting started.