symplocarpus Synonyms

Any wetland herbaceous plant of the genus Symplocarpus in the arum family (Araceae), native to eastern North America and northeastern Asia, commonly known as skunk cabbage and notable for its early spring inflorescences consisting of a fleshy, mottled maroon-and-green hooded spathe enclosing a rounded spadix of tiny flowers that generate heat to melt surrounding snow and emit a strong, foul odor when bruised.