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Weeds > Symplocarpus > Symplocarpus foetidus > Symplocarpus foetidus

Symplocarpus foetidus


Skunk Cabbage




Family
Araceae
Genus
Symplocarpus
Species
foetidus
Category
Weeds
USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 7
Canadian Hardiness Zone
1a - 6b
RHS Hardiness Zone
H6 - H7
Temperature (°C)
-40 - (-15)
Temperature (°F)
-40 - 5
Height
0.5 - 1 m
Spread
0.5 - 1 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
MarchApril
General Description
The common name Skunk Cabbage is a reference to the skunk-like smell produced if the leaves are crushed or broken open by stepping on them. The plant, if it has not been damaged, has no unpleasant odour.
Landscape
Groundcover, borders, in informal gardens or as a specimen.
Cultivation
Grow in moist, well-draining to loosely-draining, humus-rich and neutral to slightly acidic soil.
Shape
Clumping and widely mat-forming.
Growth
Fast
Pests
Powdery mildew.
Habitat
Eastern North America and northeastern Asia.
Leaf Description
Large broad leaves 40 - 55 cm long and 30 - 40 cm wide.
Flower Description
The flowers, mottled purple in colour, are produced on a 5 - 10 cm long spadix contained within a spathe that is 10 - 15 cm tall.
Notable Specimens
Joany's Woods, West Williams, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada.
Propagation
Division of plantings.
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