Symplocarpus foetidus

Common Name: 
common skunk cabbage
Scientific Name: 
Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) Nutt.
Family Name: 
Araceae - Arum Family
Identification Notes
Life Cycle
native perennial, reproducing by seed and a thick rhizome
Leaves
basal, oval with rounded or heart-shaped base and blunt-pointed tip, dark green, margins entire, smooth, appear as flowers end, petioled
Leaves of Common Skunk-Cabbage
Leaves of Common Skunk-Cabbage
Flowers
4-sepaled, yellowish-green to purple, small; round or oval spadix inside hooded and fleshy spathe, spathe brownish purple with green spots or stripes, near ground, before leaves emerge often when snow is still present
Fruit
brown to black berries, round cluster
Other: 
unpleasant skunk-like smell when crushed or cut