Skunk Cabbage

Lysichiton

Lysichiton americanus ( Yellow Skunk Cabbage )
A deep-rooted, long-lived perennial, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet, that is native to swampy woodlands in the western U.S. ( from Kodiak, Alaska to Skagway, Alaska to Dawson Creek, British Columbia to northwest Montana; south to northwest California ). It is useful for the edges of ponds and lakes.
The leathery large, oblong leaves, up to 5 feet tall, are glossy deep green.
The very small green flowers, borne during early spring, are surrounded by a large yellow spathe up to 8 inches long.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full shade on wet soil.

* historic archive photos

Lysichiton camtschatcense ( Kamchatka Skunk Cabbage )
A deep-rooted, long-lived perennial, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet, that is native to swamps in northeast Asia ( from eastern Siberia to Kamchatka; south to northern Japan ). It is useful for the edges of ponds and lakes.
The leathery large leaves, up to 32 x 12 inches in size, are glossy deep green.
The very small green flowers, borne during early spring, are surrounded by a large white spathe.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full shade on wet soil.

* photos taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD