ABSTRACT
Symplocarpus foetidus is one of the small number of temperate zone representatives of the predominantly tropical Araceae. Its geographic range includes most of eastern North America (southern Canada to North Carolina), east Asia, and northern Japan. The genus is probably monotypic; however, Owhi lists two species for Japan. 9 Information from live plants which might better determine the taxonomic status of the North American and Japanese plants is unavailable. The plant is of little horticultural importance, but one source lists it as “prized by English gardeners because it came up so early in the spring”. 4
