Symplocarpus foetidus

Very early in spring, the greenish-yellow spadix of this plant appears, enclosed by a reddish-brown spathe that is open at one side. As the flowers on the spadix wilt, green leaves unfold. These leaves become quite large with conspicuous venation giving a quilted appearance. The plant becomes 1-3 ft. tall. Flower appears before leaves. Through a chemical process, flower can heat itself to about 15 degrees Celcius. This allows it to burn its way through snow cover. Sometimes called first flower of spring. Emerging from moist earth in early spring, a large brownish-purple and green, mottled, shell-like spathe enclosing a knob-like spadix covered with tiny flowers. By late spring a tight roll of fresh green leaves beside the spathe unfolds to form huge, dark green, cabbagy leaves that may carpet an area.
This distinctive plant of marshy woods sprouts so early in spring that the heat of cellular respiration resulting from its rapid growth actually melts snow or ice around it. Its strong fetid odor, especially when the plant is bruised, resembles decaying flesh and lures insects that pollinate it.

Symplocarpus Foetidus

Symplocarpus foetidus

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