Eastern Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) observed in Watertown, MA 02472, USA
iNaturalist: accipiter22
Urban Ecology
iNaturalistEastern Skunk Cabbage is one of the first plants to emerge each late winter, and spotting it in your local wetlands or parks signals that the ecosystem is healthy enough to support thermogenic native plants that wildlife depend on for early-season food.
Eastern Skunk Cabbage is a fascinating native plant that can actually generate its own heat to melt through late-winter snow, blooming before almost anything else. It was spotted and confirmed by a community observer in Watertown, MA, which sits in a densely populated suburb of Boston. Its presence there is a good sign that some natural wetland habitat still exists in the area.
Key Findings
A research-grade (highest confidence) observation of Eastern Skunk Cabbage was recorded in Watertown, MA 02472
The species is present in an urban/suburban environment, indicating surviving wetland habitat within greater Boston
Community science via iNaturalist was used to document and verify the observation
chevron_right Technical Summary
A research-grade observation of Eastern Skunk Cabbage was recorded in Watertown, MA, confirming the presence of this native wetland plant in an urban Massachusetts community.
Abstract Preview
Research-grade observation of Eastern Skunk Cabbage in Watertown, MA 02472, USA.
open_in_new Read full abstract on iNaturalistAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Symplocarpus foetidus, commonly known as skunk cabbage or eastern skunk cabbage, is a low-growing plant that grows in wetlands and moist hill slopes of eastern North America. Bruised leaves present an odor reminiscent of skunk.