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Lysichiton americanum

Skunk Cabbage

At a Glance: A wetland plant with very large waxy erect leaves and yellow flower spikes enclosed in a large yellow sheath.

Height: 1-5 feet (30-150 cm).
Growth Form: Herb.
Leaves: Leaves emerge early from large basal rosette, leaves are thin, net-veined; shape: lance to broadly elliptic shape; size: up to 1.5 meters (5 ft) long, to 50 cm (1.5 feet) wide; color: dark green.
Flowers: Numerous small flowers on thick axis (spadix) that is hooded by a large bright yellow bract/sheath, gives off skunk-like odor when flowering, flowers before the leaves appear; primary color: greenish-yellow; size: 6-8 cm (2.5-3 in) thick, 30 cm (12 in) long.
Flowering Period: March, April, May.
Fruits: Fruits are berry-like with a pulpy texture and are embedded in the fleshy flower spike, 1 or 2 seeded; color: greenish -white.


Photo © 2005, Starflower Foundation

Sun/Shade Tolerance	Hydrology	Elevation Range
Grows larger in shady understories. full sun > 80% mostly sunny 60%-80% partial sun and shade 40%- 60% mostly shady 60%-80% full shade > 80%	Prefers wet habitat. wet moist dry Wetland Indicator Status: OBL (obligate wetland)	Sea level to 1300 meters. low elevation mid elevation sub-alpine high elevation

Soil Preferences
Common in wet soils under cedar trees.
sandy soils gravelly soils clay soils muddy soils peaty soils	well drained soils shallow soils deep soils acidic soils basic soils	humic soils nutrient rich soils nutrient poor soils mineral soils organic soils

Habitat Preferences
Aquatic and Wetland: Ponds or lakes Shallow pools Sloughs Swales or wet ditches Seasonally inundated areas Marshes or swamps Aquatic bed wetlands Emergent wetlands Scrub-shrub wetlands Forested wetlands Bogs, fens Seeps, springs Shorelines and Riparian: Lake shores Bog margins Streams or rivers Stream or river banks Riparian corridors River bars Floodplains Bottomlands Alluvial areas	Saltwater Areas: In or near saltwater Mud flats Tidal areas Estuaries Saltmarshes Brackish water Seashores Coastal dunes or beaches Rocky or Gravelly Areas: Coastal bluffs Cliffs Rocky slopes Outcrops Crevices Glacial outwash Gullies Slide areas Sub-alpine and Alpine: Heaths Snow beds Tundra Avalanche tracks	Forests and Thickets: Forests and woods Open forests Coniferous forests Old growth forests Deciduous forests Mixed forests Nurse logs Forest edges, openings, or clearings Thickets Meadows and Fields: Pastures or fields Meadows or grassy areas Mossy areas Disturbed Areas: Roadsides Trailsides Logged sites Burned areas Disturbed sites

Wildlife Value
Berries Seeds Nectar for hummingbirds Nectar for butterflies Host for insect larvae Thickets and shelter Thorny or protective cover	Insects: The pungent odor of the flowers attracts pollinators such as carrion beetles and blowflies. Mammals: The flower heads often browsed by deer. The fruits are eaten by bear. The roots are eaten by muskrats.

Ethnobotanical Uses and Other Facts

Toxicity: Contains calcium oxalate crystals that are harmful if digested..

Suggested References

Alden, P., D. Paulson. 1998. National Audubon Society, Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest. Chanticleer Press. Page 151.
Cooke, S.S. A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington and Northwetern Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society and Washington Native Plant Society. Page 138.
Guard, B.J. 1995. Wetland Plants of Oregon & Washington. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 196.
Hickman, J.C., ed. 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. University of California Press. Page 1104.
Jacobson A.L. 2001. Wild Plants of Greater Seattle. Published by author. Page 324.
Lyons, C., W. Merilees. Trees and Shrubs to Know in Washington and British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 236.
Pojar, J., A. Mackinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 334.

The landscaping and restoration information provided on this page is taken from Starflower Foundation Image Herbarium. All photographs © Starflower Foundation unless otherwise noted.