In small doses, or two small bites, the skunk cabbage plant can cause burning and swelling of the mouth and a choking sensation. Eating larger portions of these leaves can, in extreme cases, be fatal.

The cobra lily uses nectar to lure insects into its pitcher traps. The plants entice insects into their pitcher-shaped traps with an offering of sugary nectar on their long leafy fangs. Insects that land on the plants gorge on the nectar, which leads them to the cobra lillies’ downward facing openings.

The slippery walls and hairs prevent the trapped prey from escaping. The only other species that utilizes this technique is the parrot pitcher plant, Sarracenia psittacina.

Living in hot Southern California, I have fried my share of Cobra lilies – exceedingly unfortunate as they now carry a “threatened” label due to habitat destruction. If temperatures get too hot, use refrigerated water and water the plants from overhead, cooling down the roots.

1. Growing Arisaema – adding compost to the pot. Place a layer of drainage material in the base of a large, deep pot, followed by a few handfuls of potting compost.
2. Growing Arisaema – placing compost around the tuber.
3. Growing Arisaema – topping up with compost.
4. Growing Arisaema – arisaema flower.

According to “The Genus Arisaema”, the word Arisaema is “derived from the Greek words Aris or Aron, meaning Arum, and haima meaning blood. The combined words mean ‘akin to Arum’”. The genus is pantropical in that its species are found both in temperate and tropical regions.

Like skunk cabbage, false hellebore has large green leaves held close to the ground that unfold in the spring, carpeting wet areas with a bright cheery green.

To remove them, dig them up or use a total-vegetation herbicide. Glyphosate is a good choice because it breaks down quickly so you can replant in that area. No broad-leaved herbicide is labeled for skunk cabbage because skunk cabbage is not considered a weed.

Yes, skunk is edible. You obviously have to remove the musk glands, but you also — as with other animals — have to remove other glands like the gall bladder. The musk does not naturally permeate the meat.

The few predators of skunks include coyotes, foxes, bobcats and large owls (which have little or no sense of smell). Domestic dogs will also kill skunks. Skunks also die as a result of road-kill, trapping, shooting, farm chemicals, and farm machinery.

Coyotes, foxes, dogs, bobcats, mountain lions, badgers and big owls can all eat skunks but rarely do. Gehrt’s research shows that less than 5 percent of skunk mortality is caused by predators.