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Questions and Answers: 2015

Question: No plant ID necessary, but a question. We have an established stand of skunk cabbage in our woods (this is …

• Question

  No plant ID necessary, but a question. We have an established stand of skunk cabbage in our woods (this is near Binghamton, NY) and last week I was stunned to see the blooms emerging. I'm assuming this is unusual--at least I've never seen it happen before, and I'm concerned about what this might mean for spring growth and survival.

  Answer

  Dear fishc, this happens from time to time (a second flowering late in the season) with many different species of plants (though I most frequently see this with woody species, it does happen with herbaceous plants as well). This happens most often with unusually warm autumns, the plants are responding as if it were spring. Generally, they survive this (in my experience), but it certainly would affect energy storage. Best wishes.