Stinking hellebore

In a wood grows this strange protuberance, a sudden patch of color amidst dark green palmate leaves from last season.

It is the new sprout of a Stinking hellebore (Helleborus foetidus). Yes, it does stink, you'll discover the smell when you rub a leaf between your hands.

In February or March the sprout will have developed into a flowering stem with green, bell-shaped flowers. Not unlike the cultivated Christmas roses that are supposed to flower around Chrismas (but alas, not always do ...). It is from the same family.