Family: Araceae
Author: Hultén & H.St.John
Bibliography: Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 25: 455 (1931 publ. 1932)
Year: 1932
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Lysichiton
Vegetable: False
Observations: Alaska to W. U.S.A.
Description
Western skunk cabbage, scientifically known as Lysichiton americanus, is a distinctive perennial herbaceous plant notable for its sizeable and vibrant foliage. Documented in Svensk Bot. Tidskr. in 1931 (published 1932) by botanists Hultén and H. St. John, this unique member of the Araceae family thrives primarily in the damp, boggy regions stretching from Alaska to the western United States.
This plant is renowned for its striking appearance and the pungent odor emitted by both its flowers and leaves — a characteristic that undoubtedly led to its common name. The scent resembles that of a skunk, thus serving as a deterrent to herbivores and attracting certain pollinators.
Western skunk cabbage plays a critical ecological role in its native habitat. The plant’s large, bright yellow spathes, which can be seen in early spring, are a significant food source for various insect species. Additionally, its capacity to grow in waterlogged soils helps prevent soil erosion and contributes to the stability of wetland ecosystems.
Despite its unpleasant odor, Western skunk cabbage has also been used by Indigenous peoples for various medicinal and practical purposes, showcasing its integral role in the biological and cultural tapestry of its habitat. Overall, Lysichiton americanus remains a fascinating subject of study for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.
Common Names
Eng: american skunk-cabbage, american skunk cabbage, american skunkcabbage, western skunk-cabbage, yellow skunk-cabbage, yellow skunk cabbage, skunk cabbage, western skunk cabbage
Swe: bitterkrassing, gatkrassing, rundkrassing, smörgåskrasse, gul skunkkalla, skunkkalla
Fra: faux-arum, lysichite, faux arum, lysichiton d’amérique, lysichiton
Deu: gelbe scheinkalla
Dan: gul kæmpekalla, have-karse, lysikiton, stinkende karse, strand-karse
Fin: isokrassi, pihakrassi, rikkakrassi, vihanneskrassi
Nor: matkarse, rundkarse, strandkarse, tevkarse
Nld: moerasaronskelk, moeraslantaarn, moerasaronskelk, moeraslantaarn
Cym: pidyn-y-gog americanaidd
En: Western Skunk Cabbage, American skunkcabbage, Yellow Skunk-cabbage, Swamp cabbage, American Skunk-cabbage, American skunk cabbage, Western skunk-cabbage, Yellow skunk cabbage, Skunk Cabbage
Da: Gul kæmpekalla, Have-Karse, Lysikiton, Stinkende Karse, Strand-Karse
Nl: Moerasaronskelk, Moeraslantaarn, Moerasaronskelk, Moeraslantaarn
Fi: Isokrassi, Pihakrassi, Rikkakrassi, Vihanneskrassi
Fr: Faux-arum, Lysichite, Faux arum, Lysichiton d’Amérique, Lysichiton
De: Gelbe Scheinkalla
No: Matkarse, Rundkarse, Strandkarse, Tevkarse
Sv: Bitterkrassing, Gatkrassing, Rundkrassing, Smörgåskrasse, Gul skunkkalla, Skunkkalla
Cy: Pidyn-y-Gog Americanaidd
Synonyms
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Aleutian Is. (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- California (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Montana (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Washington (native)
- Belgium (introduced)
- Denmark (introduced)
- Finland (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Ireland (introduced)
- Netherlands (introduced)
- Norway (introduced)
- Sweden (introduced)
- Switzerland (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Sep 26, 2022 by Jess Smith (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 31, 2020 by Kyloe Wolf (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2022 by Ian Cunliffe (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 8, 2022 by William Hollins (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 13, 2018 by Grant Bain (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Apr 9, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2021 by HP Mooibroek (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 11, 2022 by Beth Wigglesworth (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 17, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 17, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Mar 21, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 8, 2014 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − ducmax (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 9, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Apr 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 1, 2021 by Tom (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2021 by HP Mooibroek (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2869311)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:147962-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lysichiton americanus Hultén & H.St.John)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb