|
|
Below you'll find hundreds of links to articles, databases, and websites on everything there is to know about New Jersey's native plants, as well as our archive of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey newsletters. All materials are FREE and accessible for download.
Scientific Name: Symplocarpus foetidus
Family: Araceae
Classification
Family |
Araceae – Arum family |
Genus |
Symplocarpus Salisb. ex Nutt. – skunk cabbage |
Species |
Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) Salisb. ex Nutt. – skunk cabbage |
The flower is encased in a mottled hood that can be 6-8” tall. The actual flowers are on a spadix, one of the common features of the Araceae family. The flowers are stemless. After the flowers mature the foliage appears, growing 1-2 feet tall.
Symplocarpus foetidus is native throughout the State. It is typically found in Shallow flowing water and wet mud, light shade, woods and swamp edges.
Blooms February to late April.
The hood (spathe) is made up of a spongy material with air pockets in it that works as an insulator, keeping the flower warm during its chilly bloomtime. The spadix produces heat through respiration and can raise the temperature of the flower up to 70 degrees F even when surrounded by snow! The insulated hood helps keep that warmth right there.
Scientists believe there are two reasons for this heat: 1) A warming area for cold insects so they can warm up on their pollinating trips from one skunk cabbage to the next. Cold cold-blooded insects wouldn’t get much work done. 2) The warmth helps the chemicals that cause the odor to evaporate faster which spreads and strengthens the insect attracting odor.