Well , l never knew that ! ……

Many of the Genista species of hardy plants have flowers that open explosively when alighted on by insects. This action coats the insect with pollen .

 

Eastern Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus Foetidus ) is a thermogenic plant ,meaning it can generate temperature of up to 35c , enabling it to melt its way through frozen ground , in its native habitats including Nova Scotia .

 

Other members of the Araceae are also thermogenic. Arum maculatum (Cuckoo Pint, Lords and Ladies) is probably the commonest one. The inflorescence warms up to 30 - 35°C; the main reason for this being to volatalise odour chemicals (mostly foul smelling) and attract pollinators, the warmth of the inflorescence also keeps the insects cosy as many of these trap the insects overnight.
I think the snow melting is a side effect of attracting polllinators, as many of the species that do this are found in the warmer parts of the world.

 

Eastern Skunk Cabbage ( part 2 ) has contractile roots which contract after growing in to the soil. This pulls the stem of the plant deeper into the soil each season . Older plants are practically impossible to dig up .

 

The Snowberry ( Symphoricarpos ) produces seed which has an extremely hard , tough , impermeable covering, are very hard to germinate and can lay dormant for up to 10 years.
It more usually reproduces by releasing shoots from a rhizome , or layering.

 

You can make a natural instant soap with a handful of ceanothus flowers and a little bit of water, rubbing together to create a lather in your hands. A little rinse of water and your hands will be clean.