Lysichiton americanus

Common Names

American Skunk Cabbage, Yellow Skunk Cabbage, Skunk Cabbage, Western Skunk Cabbage, Swamp Lantern

Summary

Lysichiton americanus, commonly called American skunk cabbage or yellow skunk cabbage, is a North American perennial in the Araceae family native to western North America, it forms large clumps from a thick underground rhizome and bears very large glossy leaves, with malodorous inflorescences consisting of yellow spathes surrounding a spadix, the spadix emits a skunk-like odor to attract pollinating insects, flowering occurs in spring (March to May) often before the leaves, with seeds maturing afterward, it grows in wet habitats such as pond margins, bogs, streams, and wet woodlands, and tolerates consistently moist, humus-rich soil with full sun to semi-shade depending on moisture, it is hardy to USDA zones 5 to 9 and widely cultivated as an ornamental near ponds and in bog gardens, it can naturalize and self-sow in suitable conditions and may form dense stands that outcompete native flora, propagation is by seed or division, seeds can remain viable for several years (roughly 6 to 9 years), and all parts contain calcium oxalate, a toxin, so ingestion should be avoided, in landscape uses, wetland restoration and water garden settings are common

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

36-59 inches

Spread

2.5-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4b-7b

Sunlight Requirements

Full Shade to Full Sun including Partial Shade, tolerates Full Sun with enough moisture

Soil Type

Wet, humus-rich loamy soil

Soil Drainage

Wet, poorly drained soils

Soil pH

5.6-7.5 (acidic to neutral)

Bloom Color

Bright yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts flies and beetles