> My admittedly limited observations have led me to wonder whether >it favors stagnant water. Any comments? Dear Russell and all; I have to limit myself to seeing plants growing in the wild. I sort of hate to say In the middle of a stream although I sort of already did. I have seen both the American species in the middle of running water in spring, but I have seen the Eastern Symplocarpus in wet boggy spots and in fairly still pond edge sites. I don't think they'd do well in say a garden pond, but I have seen plenty of pix of the Asian Lysichiton next to ponds or rice paddies. Some of these spots may just flood in spring and then run off and dry in summer. I can't say I have had much luck growing any of them here where not are native or where the climate is drastically different. I would like to add a word in favor of the 'quiet' relative Calla palustris. This is smaller and has less showy flowers than Lysichiton, but showier than Symplocarpus and it definitely does well in still water. I've grown it in a wet tub. This isn't seen much in gardens or ponds, but I think it is easier and more tolerant of garden conditions. I have never heard it called a skunk cabbage and the foliage does not have a foul odor, but has attractive shiny and heart shaped leaves and clear white 'calla' flowers. I just Googled a source and was surprised to find that it is available from Wim. Tricker Inc. This is a very old water plant business and glad to see it still exists. http://www.trickeri.com/cgi-bin/51/cp-app.cgi Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +