Family: Araceae
skunk-cabbage
[Dracontium foetidum L., more... ]
Etymology: Symplocarpus: from symploce for "connection" and carpos for "fruit," referring to connection of ovaries into compound fruit
Plants: erect, perennial, up to 3' tall forb with a skunk odor when crushed
Leaves: round, up to 1', simple, basal, appear after flowering
Flowers: green, tiny, 4-parted, 4 stamens; inflorescence a roundish, 3"-6" long, mottled, green to purplish spadix shrouded by a pointed, broad, hood-like, purple spathe; blooms March-May
Fruits: round cluster of brown-black berries
Habitat: shade; wet; swamps, low ground
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, up to 3' tall forb with a skunk odor when crushed
Leaves: round, up to 1', simple, basal, appear after flowering
Flowers: green, tiny, 4-parted, 4 stamens; inflorescence a roundish, 3"-6" long, mottled, green to purplish spadix shrouded by a pointed, broad, hood-like, purple spathe; blooms March-May
Fruits: round cluster of brown-black berries
Habitat: shade; wet; swamps, low ground
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 8, Wetland Indicator = OBL Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine: Information and Photos USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"