Skunk Cabbage
Symplocarpus foetidus

• Flower: Yellow/brown knob, 1"-2" across, inside fleshy green (purple/brown mottled) 3"-6"enclosing spathe
• Leaves: Large (12"+ across) oval, heartshaped at base, bright waxy green, appearing after the flowers has bloomed
• Height: to 18".
• Habitat: Swamps and boggy forest.
• Blooms: Feb.-March

The earliest flower in our area, skunk cabbage can be seen poking up through the snow in early February. This picture shows only the shell-shaped hood or spathe; the actual flower is a knobby yellow spadix inside. The large leaves appear after the flowers have bloomed; they have a putrid odor when crushed, giving the plant its common name.