WILD FLOWERS RED 
ice, in wet swampy places very early in the spring, are 
really floral huts, and that if one slips his finger in the 
side opening he is very likely to find out that 
important business is being transacted therein. If 
golden grains of pollen adhere to the finger when 
withdrawn, it is positive proof of the flower’s maturity. 
True enough, they are unattractive and unpleasantly 
scented; nevertheless, it cannot be denied that they 
are very interesting and figure prominently in the 
earliest rambles of the year. It is also interesting to 
know that its stout, mottled, horn-like hood is identical 
in capacity with the white cup of the Calla Lily, to 
which it is related. The acrid root of the Skunk 
Cabbage has been used as a remedy for asthma, catarrh, 
rheumatism, nervousness and hysteria. This plant 
grows with a rank, tropical vigour, and its profuse, 
bright. green foliage becomes a highly decorative 
feature in our Eastern lowlands during the summer. 
The strongly ribbed, rather thin and smooth, firm- 
textured leaves grow in large, cabbage-like crowns, 
and vary in length from one to three feet. They have 
an entire margin, and are broadly egg- or heart-shaped, 
with a blunt tip. They do not unfold until after the 
flowering period, and are set on short, deeply grooved 
stems. Numerous tiny, four-parted, greenish-yellow 
to purplish-brown florets are densely gathered on a 
short, thick, rounded and fleshy club or spadix, which 
is hidden within the large, thick, purple lined, shell- 
like hood. ‘The spadix finally enlarges and becomes 
somewhat spongy, and encloses numerous bulb-like 
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