The bird featured in today's Native Talk Tuesday is Picoides pubescens, commonly known as the Downy Woodpecker. This species of woodpecker is only found suburbs, orchards, parks, and forests; but are uncommon to rare in southeast Oregon. The woodpecker below was seen in a stand of trees next to a farmer's field east of Salem, Oregon.
The plant featured in today's Native Talk Tuesday is Lysichiton americanum, commonly known as the Skunk Cabbage. Also known as the Swamp Lantern, this plant is easily identified due to its large leaves, that are sometimes over 4 feet long. From early- to mid-Spring, one or more leaves turn yellow and a corncob-shaped spike is found within the yellow bract. Found wet meadows and muddy seepage areas from low to mid elevations, the Skunk Cabbage was used by the Native Tribes more for lining baskets like wax paper than for eating. Apparently, the only time it may have been eaten was in early Spring if there was a food shortage and only after roasting or steaming it first. The plant in the picture below was found at Silver Falls State Park, east of Salem.
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