Skunk Cabbage
(Symplocarpus foetidus)
Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
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Katja Schulz
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Katja Schulz
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Katja Schulz | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Katja Schulz | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-02-19T14:50:24-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Symplocarpus foetidus, commonly known as Skunk Cabbage, is a deciduous perennial herb native to wetlands, including swamps, wet woods, and bogs, primarily in the Eastern United States and Eastern Canada. It typically grows low to the ground and is known for its large, cabbage-like leaves that emit a skunky odor when bruised. Each leaf can reach 40–55 cm (16–22 in) in length and 30–40 cm (12–16 in) in width. Skunk Cabbage is one of the first plants to flower in spring, with its blooms appearing before the leaves. The flowers emerge from the mud on a short spadix, enclosed by a hood-like, mottled purple spathe that is 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall. The plant’s substantial rhizome can be as thick as 30 cm (0.98 ft).
Skunk Cabbage is valued for its early spring flowers and its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it a unique addition to water gardens and boggy areas. It is also of ecological importance, providing early pollen for insects. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade and consistently moist to wet soil, with a preference for poorly drained sites. While it is not commonly used in traditional garden settings due to its odor, it can be a fascinating plant for naturalized areas. Care should be taken as the plant can cause skin irritation upon contact and is considered inedible due to its acrid taste and calcium oxalate crystals.CC BY-SA 4.0
Skunk Cabbage is valued for its early spring flowers and its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it a unique addition to water gardens and boggy areas. It is also of ecological importance, providing early pollen for insects. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade and consistently moist to wet soil, with a preference for poorly drained sites. While it is not commonly used in traditional garden settings due to its odor, it can be a fascinating plant for naturalized areas. Care should be taken as the plant can cause skin irritation upon contact and is considered inedible due to its acrid taste and calcium oxalate crystals.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Width: 1-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Brown, Yellow, Green, Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Wetlands, including swamps, wet woods, and bogs
Other Names
Common Names: Eastern Skunk Cabbage, Swamp Cabbage, Clumpfoot Cabbage, Meadow Cabbage, Foetid Pothos, Polecat Weed, Chou Puant, Symplocarpe Chou-Puant, Symplocarpe Fétide, Tabac Du Diable
Scientific Names: , Symplocarpus foetidus, Pothos foetidus, Spathyema foetida, Dracontinum foetidum, Dracontium foetidum, Ictodes foetidus, Ictoides foetidus, Pothos putorii, Spathyema angusta
GBIF Accepted Name: Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) Salisb. ex W.P.C.Barton