This is a picture of the eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) which grows in wetlands and other moist areas of the eastern United States.It flowers early in the spring(Feb-April) emitting enough heat to melt the surrounding snow and ice as it emerges.At this time only the flowers are visible,produced on a 2-4 inch spadix,or flower cluster within a 4-6 inch tall purple mottled spathe.To me, the flower cluster reminds me of a magnified image of a pollen grain often seen in tv commercials touting allergy products! The plant gets it?s name from the rather foul odor,similar to skunk,that emanates from both the flower and later the large leaves(16-22 inches long,12 -16 inches wide),especially when bruised.This scent successfully attracts flies and bees for pollination.