Skunk cabbage is a big, stemless plant usually found in swamps. It belongs to the arum family of plants, the same family that many common houseplants belong to. Skunk cabbage is one of the first plants to come out in spring. First a pair of purple leaves emerge, followed by a yellow flower bundle inside. Contrary to popular belief, skunk cabbage doesn't always stink.
Skunk cabbage starts to smell after parts of the plant become broken or bruised.
The flower releases the stinky skunk cabbage smell when crushed or damaged. The nasty odour is produced by sap inside the skunk cabbage. Skunk cabbage is found in Asia and North America.