Skunk Cabbage (Polecat weed / Swamp cabbage)

During a hike in the Links wilderness at the Edge of Appalachia we found this lone plant group in the swampy mud by the side of the creek. It is a perennial herb 12 - 24 inch tall with a strong odor from a thick rhizome. Leaves basal , cabbage like, net veined, heart shaped entire 10 to 20 inches long (as wide) on short petioles; It will grow through ice and snow in late winter (Flowers are said to produce warmth over a 12 to 14 day period at an average temperature of 36 f day and night it cultures the emerging insects that it will absorb later)