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Definition of skunk cabbage

skunk cabbage

Plural:skunk cabbages
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• noun

1

North American A low-growing, foul-smelling wetland plant (Symplocarpus foetidus) native to eastern North America, known for its mottled purple spathe that emerges in early spring and generates heat to melt surrounding snow.

Example

"While hiking through the muddy wetlands in early March, we spotted the distinct purple hoods of the skunk cabbage pushing through the frost."

2

North American A robust wetland plant (Lysichiton americanus) native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, featuring massive green leaves and a bright yellow spathe, noted for its strong, musky odor.

Example

"The pungent, swampy scent of the western skunk cabbage filled the damp air along the coastal trail in Washington."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for skunk cabbage

• Nearby Words

skully
skunk
skunk botia
skunk cabbage
skunk corydoras
skunked
skunky

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Skunk cabbage. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/skunk-cabbage
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