ARUM FAMILY. Aracese. 



A single species, of the earliest appear- 

 Skunk Cabbage . ^ '. 



Sympiocarpus ance m spring, having a fetid odor, which 

 fcetidus attracts numerous insects, and a closely 



Dark purple- coiled purple-red streaked and blotched, 

 green, leathery spathe which entraps 

 them to their death. The stout spadix is 

 compactly set with perfect lavender-flesh-colored flowers, 

 i. e. , flowers with stamens and pistil. The conspicuous an- 

 thers are a grayish straw-color. The fruit is the enlarged 

 and fleshy spadix enclosing round bulletlike seeds imme- 

 diately beneath its surface which ripen in September. 

 The name is from tivjuTtA-onr?, connection, and napitoS, 

 fruit, alluding to the connection of the ovaries forming 

 compound fruit. The color of the shellike spathe is not 

 without aesthetic interest ; the madder purple, green, 

 and yellow-green are blended and streaked with a pecul- 

 iar charm ; inside, the red is darkest. The leaves will 

 at first be found in a compactly coiled, pointed spike 

 close beside the ruddy spathe. Later when the coarse 1- 

 2 feet long, cabbagelike leaves are unfolded the origin of 

 the common name becomes evident. The odor of the 

 flower is imitative of decaying flesh, but it is not wholly 

 bad, it reminds one of the smell of a mustard plaster, 

 and raw onions ; the cut stem decidedly suggests the 

 latter. The plant is found in swamps, beside brooks, 

 and in wet glades. Common from Me., south to Ga., 

 and west to Iowa and Minn. Found at Clarendon Hills, 

 Mass. 



