"The species name, foetidus, shares its root with the word "fetid," which means "stinking." And if you don't mind getting down on your hands and knees in the skunk cabbage's soggy habitat to sniff this plant you'll discover it has what most would consider an unpleasant odor. Even its common name implies a scent less than desirable, although some suggest that the odor reminds them of garlic. The odor and color of the spathe fits into the skunk cabbage's reproductive strategy of attracting pollinating flies--that prefer rotting flesh or dung--which then carry pollen to the next plant.

"Skunk cabbages can maintain a temperature inside the spathe significantly warmer than the surrounding air temperature--as much as 15-35 degrees warmer--by consuming carbohydrates stored in their fleshy rhizomes. The warmth helps in attracting cold-blooded, early-emerging pollinating insects, in developing seeds, or both, during early spring when temperatures are often chilly.

"Skunk cabbages become senescent (the leaves and stems die back) by August making the plant difficult to find in late summer. They are persistent, however, so they will be found in the same area the following spring. Fascinating Facts:

More info at https://www.nps.gov/miss/learn/nature/skunkcabbage.htm

"Native Americans called the river "Chichaqua", which meant Skunk, or "smelly place". Some believe the river was named for the odorous wild "Skunk Onions" (or Skunk Cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus) which once grew along its banks. Being the first green plant to appear in the spring, it was sought by both Native Americans and pioneers."

http://www.skunkriverpaddlers.org/history.html