I am 4-8 inches tall and between 2 and 5 inches in diameter. I have been known to live hundreds of years. Firm leaves, acting as exterior walls, create a hollow interior known as a spathe which hides my small flower (called a spadix). I prepare my leaves in the fall and will burst into life at the earliest possible moment, even melting snow above me. Through a simple respiration process where oxygen combines with food, I produce temperatures of up to 72 degrees. Should outside temperatures reach about 45 degrees, I will send out green shoots and if temperatures stay at or above 45 degrees for approximately 3 days, my spadix will form. A honey bee in search of pollen on a hosta plantHoney bees enjoy my presence and are able to move about freely amidst cool temperatures when I’m around. My unusual name, as you will see, does not come from the honey bee. Hungry bears, elks, and more, will search around the forest floor. Little food is sure to be found, but remember in cool temperatures, I abound. When they find me and take a bite, I leave a sting and awful stench. Many an Indian have used my leaves for flour in bread and to test a new chief. Break off a piece and place it on your tongue, the spicy, bitter taste won’t keep me there long. Any idea as to what I am?

Tim captures some neat angles of a grass plantThe other day, Tim Hynes and Daniel went for a hike through the woods and wetlands behind our house. They came back with an array of beautiful photos ranging from pine A beautiful piece of fungus on a tree trunkcones, to fungus, trees, and more. As would be expected during this time of year, the forest was quite destitute of living flora with the exception of moss and ferns. After tramping around for close to an hour, they came back with around 200 photos. We gathered around the computer to review the shots. The photos were well taken and showed the results of creativity and forethought.

The inside of an old dead treeA pine cone awaiting its day to bring life 

One scene stuck out more than any others however. A small 6-8 inch plant containing, of all things, a pollen laden flower! Remarkable! Unfortunately, I was unable to identify the species. Within the hour however, keen eye Kenan came upon the exact same plant in a nature book – wow!

A slow moving creekSunday rolled around a couple days later. Early that morning, I was contemplating the lesson for Children’s Choir later on and thought this plant would be a great object lesson. A light rain and brisk wind had descended upon our area as I threw on a coat, some grubby pants, and my muck boots. After hiking around the woods and wetlands for sometime, I finally came upon the small, unique plant. Two or three were dug up and placed in my bucket where they would stay until the afternoon.

This plant, known as the ‘Skunk Cabbage,’ provided a perfect lesson for us that day. The skunk cabbage, as The infamous Skunk Cabbagedescribed in the Character Sketches, is a bitter tasting plant that produces an awful stench when its leaves are broken off. The honey bee, however, shows how the Christian ought to respond to both the sweet and bitter events of life. The bee takes the distasteful plant and turns it into food that nourishes many. When we Close up on Symplocarpus foetidus (Skunk Cabbage)look for the hand of God in every circumstance of life and seek to understand His principles, we will be able to say with joy that all things do work together for good (Rom. 8:28). No situation happens by accident but was preordained by God to conform us into the image of His dear Son, create a testimony, and thereby disciple many! Keep your eye out for the skunk cabbages of life.

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