The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: skunk-cabbage

Family: Araceae (arum family)

Synonym: Dracontium foetidum

Distribution: n.e. North America & Asia

Habitat: Swamps, wet woods, along streams, and other wet low areas; 0--1100 m

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: Skunk-cabbage is not the prettiest spring wildflower, but it is perhaps the most compelling in terms of appearance. Like other plants in the Arum family, its flowers are comprised of a spathe and spadix. The curved spathe is deep maroon mottled with stripes or streaks of purple and green, tapering to a point. The spadix varies in color from pale yellow to dark purple. Flies and other insects are attracted to the flowers because of their carrion-like appearance and pungent odor that can in fact resemble that of a skunk. It is one of the first flowers of spring, often emerging from February snow cover due to a chemical ability to heat itself to almost 60 degrees F, effectively "burning" its way out. Fresh green leaves begin forming by the wilting flowers in late spring and they will unfold to form huge, cabbagy leaves that also smell bad when bruised. Skunk-cabbage is typically found growing in wetlands or on moist hill slopes.