Easter on Mayne island is showing the vibrant green of the first flush of spring. The cultivated fruit trees are displaying their 'pretty in pink' outfits of blossoms that look very Barbie in this island of gumboots. The wild plants seem more in keeping with the westcoast spirit, displaying true beauty along with some unusual features.

One wild beauty is Lysichiton americanus, commonly known as Western Skunk Cabbage. This plant is found in swamps, wet woods and along streams of the Pacific Northwest. it is one of the few native species in the arum family. Of the Arum family, we see Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum' (Lords and Ladies) used as a garden plant. The leaves of the Skunk Cabbage are the largest of any native plant in the region were used by First Nation's people to wrap their food in for storage and before cooking. The large, bright yellow blooms are the first flowers to appear in spring and produce a skunky smell to attract the pollinating beetles and flies.

I find it interesting that in England they call our 'Skunk Cabbage" the much more appealing name "Bog Lantern", you tell me which sounds more garden worthy! I would be happy to see (yes and smell!) this excuberant spring plant in a bog garden within an ornamental setting. I like to be reminded that not all beauty is Barbie pink and pretty smelling!