Definition of: skunk cabbage

1. A stemless perennial herb (Symplocarpus foetidus) of the United States, producing in the early spring a horn–shaped, brownish–purple spathe which encloses the oval spadix and emits a strong odor, especially when crushed or bruised: also called swamp cabbage.
2. A somewhat similar plant (Lysichitum americanum) of western North America. Also skunk′weed′ (-wēd′).