Lysichiton americanus Hultén & H. St. John

Western skunk cabbage, yellow skunk cabbage, American skunk-cabbage, swamp lantern

Western skunk cabbage is found in swamps and wet woods, along streams and in other wet areas of the Pacific Northwest. “Skunk” because of its skunky odor, and “western” because this Pacific northwest species has a malodorous eastern counterpart, named, intuitively enough, eastern skunk cabbage (Symplo­carpus foetidus). The two species are loosely related, members of the arum family.

Plants: This plant’s odor attracts flies and beetles, which pollinate it.

Leaves: Underground roots up to 12″ (30 cm) and ⅞–1¾″ (2.5–5 cm) in diameter produce large leaves up to 12–59″ long ⨉ 4–28″ wide (30–150 ⨉ 10–70 cm).

Flowers: A bright yellow spathe emerges in early spring, wrapped around a spadix that loosely resembles a green corncob. The spathe appears on a stalk 12–20″ (30–50 cm) tall. The spathe is 2½–4½″ (7–12 cm) long, and the spadix is up to 10″ (25 cm) long, dotted with lots of tiny yellowish green flowers, both male and female. They usually flower between March and May.

Fruits: Green berries appear at the tip of the spadix.

Habitats: Swamps and wet woods, along streams and in other wet areas.

Edibility: These plants have been used as a food source by indigenous peoples, but they are not a preferred food source.

Online References:

Older scientific or horticultural names

Lysichiton americanus description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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