skunk cabbage

(noun) deciduous perennial low-growing fetid swamp plant of eastern North America having minute flowers enclosed in a mottled greenish or purple cowl-shaped spathe. Synonyms: skunk cabbage, polecat weed, foetid pothos, Symplocarpus foetidus.

(noun) clump-forming deciduous perennial swamp plant of western North America similar to Symplocarpus foetidus but having a yellow spathe. Synonyms: skunk cabbage, Lysichiton americanum.