Bet you didn't know there is a wildflower that comes out in February in Michigan.  

The first signs of spring in Michigan are the skunk cabbage emerging through the ice and snow in wet marshy areas. 

The skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is a unique plant known for its distinctive spathe, which is a leaf-like structure that surrounds its flower cluster. The spathe is typically large, greenish to purple, and can emit a strong odor, especially when the plant is disturbed. This smell is often likened to that of a skunk, hence the name.

Skunk cabbage is one of the first plants to emerge in spring, often pushing through snow. It has a fascinating adaptation: it can generate heat, allowing it to melt snow and ice around it and attract early pollinators.

As you can see the skunk cabbage spathe is melting its way through ice.