1. Deciduous perennial low-growing fetid swamp plant of eastern North America having minute flowers enclosed in a mottled greenish or purple cowl-shaped spathe
   "Early spring hikers often encounter skunk cabbage in wet areas";
   - polecat weed, foetid pothos, Symplocarpus foetidus
    
2. Clump-forming deciduous perennial swamp plant of western North America similar to Symplocarpus foetidus but having a yellow spathe
   "The distinctive odour of skunk cabbage filled the wetland";
   - Lysichiton americanum

Derived forms: skunk cabbages

Type of: bog plant, marsh plant, swamp plant

Part of: genus Symplocarpus, Symplocarpus

Encyclopedia: Skunk cabbage