Symplocarpus Species, Meadow Cabbage, Pole Cat Weed, Skunk Cabbage, Skunk Weed, Stinking Poke

Endangered in Tennessee, at the southern edge of its range. Very common here in Massachusetts.

The foliage is big and trop...Read Moreical-looking. Goes dormant in summer. A native of swamps, it needs boggy conditions.

The skunk odor is faint to nonexistent unless the leaves are crushed or stepped on.

The curious hooded flowers are maroon-brown, not scarlet---not very conspicuous, but easy to recognize if you look for them. Very early in the spring, they can melt their way through snow. Their heat-generating ability attracts flies on cold days for pollination. The leaves appear long after the flowers.

in the wild, this generally is found in large colonies. I've never seen an isolated plant, or just a few.

A most interesting wild perennial in moist or wet soils in woods or marshes.

striking native spring ephemeral, great aroid for that wet area. I'm surprised ladybug would post a negative concerning its herbal/medici...Read Morenal properties. The foxgloves, monkshoods, and ilex had all better watch out!

The name of this plant, when translated, means: Symplocarpus: from symploce for "connection" and carpos for "fruit", referring to connec...Read Moretion of ovaries into compound fruit - foetidus: evil-smelling.