page_title: Symplocarpus foetidus
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Symplocarpus foetidus / Description
caption_attribution_description: English: Leaves of Symplocarpus foetidus
context_page_description: Symplocarpus foetidus, commonly known as skunk cabbage or eastern skunk cabbage, is a low growing plant that grows in wetlands and moist hill slopes of eastern North America. Bruised leaves present a fragrance reminiscent of skunk.
context_section_description: Eastern skunk cabbage has leaves which are large, 40–55 cm (16–22 in) long and 30–40 cm (12–16 in) broad. It flowers early in the spring when only the flowers are visible above the mud. The stems remain buried below the surface of the soil with the leaves emerging later. The flowers are produced on a 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long spadix contained within a spathe, 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall and mottled purple in colour. The rhizome is often 30 cm (0.98 ft) thick.
caption: Symplocarpus foetidus leaves out in mid-spring after the flowers have bloomed.
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