Typhonium venosum AKA Sauromatum venosum -- Though often considered a tropical, this extremely strange plant actually turns out to be hardy to zone 6. Very narrow 3' flower heads emerge before leaves in spring, then unfurl into only kind of narrow, with intricate maroon and cream patterning. When the leaves do appear, they're large and compound, similar to Arisaema, on a stalk that is light green and black-patterened, like Amorphophallus. Naturally, a "distinctive" odor for a few hours when first blooming is part of the deal.