Lysichiton americanus – skunk cabbage
Common Name
skunk cabbage
Alternate Common Names
- western skunk cabbage,
- swamp lantern
Family
Araceae
Scientific Name
Lysichiton americanus
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
- Wet (W)
- Very Wet (VW)
Soil Nutrient Regime (SNR)
- Rich (R)
Video link
Hitchcock, C. Leo, and Arthur Cronquist. Flora of the Pacific Northwest: An Illustrated Manual © 1973. Reprinted with permission of the University of Washington Press.
Photo Gallery
General / Habitat
- Large and robust perennial
- Occurs in swamps, fens, wet forest, and seepages
- Low to middle elevations
Key Identifying Characteristics
- Form: 30-150 cm tall, fleshy and upright stem
- Leaves: huge (up to 1.5 m long by 0.5 m wide), lance-shaped, net-veined, in a basal rosette
- Flowers: greenish-yellow, many borne on spike hooded by large, bright-yellow bract, appearing before or with the leaves in very early spring
- Fruit: green to reddish in colour with berry-like form and embedded in spike
- Other: Emits skunky odour, especially when in flower
Interesting Characteristics
- Important famine food for coastal peoples and post-hibernation food for bears
External References
Sources
Douglas, G.W. et al (Editors). 1998-2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia, Volumes 1 to 8. B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C.
Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 2014. Plants of Coastal British Columbia Including Washington, Oregon & Alaska. B.C. Ministry of Forestry and Lone Pine Publishing. Vancouver, B.C.