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Lysichiton americanus
  • Yellow Skunk Cabbage

a perennial member of the Lysichiton genus in the family Araceae.

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsaquatic
    Aquatic
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Lysichiton americanus has 0 edible uses listed
Lysichiton americanus has 0 material uses listed
Lysichiton americanus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant is rich in calcium oxylate, this is toxic and if consumed makes the mouth and digestive tract feel as though hundreds of needles are being stuck into it. However, calcium oxylate is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Young shoots - these must be thoroughly cooked otherwise they are poisonous[1]. The native North American Indian tribes would cook them in several changes of water, the end result being a tasteless mush[1].

The leaves can be dried then powdered and used as a thickening agent[2]. Older leaves have been used to wrap up food that was being baked. The leaves would impart a pleasant flavouring to the food[3]. Young flower stalks - cooked[2]. Only used when there was a shortage of other foods, the stalks must be thoroughly cooked or else they are poisonous[2]. It is said that no more than three stalks should be consumed at one meal[3].

Root - cooked. It must be thoroughly cooked or dried before use, otherwise it is poisonous[4][5][6][7]. Rich in starch, a flour can be made from the dried and ground root[8]. The root has a hot flavour, somewhat like ginger[2]. The root is best harvested in the autumn[2].

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

The leaves are large and water repellent, they can be used as a 'waxed paper' and also for lining fruit baskets etc and for wrapping food in for baking[9][2]. They were also folded and used as containers for collecting berries, as drinking cups and as a covering or mat for food that was being dried[3]. The plants have very large leaves and form a slowly spreading clump. They can be grown as a ground cover, spaced about 1 metre apart each way[10].

Unknown part

Containers
Lining
Waxed paper

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Antispasmodic, styptic[4][1].

Yellow skunk cabbage was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it mainly as a poultice to treat a variety of complaints[3]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. Caution is advised, especially if using the plant internally, see the notes above on toxicity. A poultice of roots has been applied to swellings, sores, boils, burns and rheumatic joints[3]. A poultice of the heated blossoms has been applied to rheumatic joints[3]. A poultice of the leaves has been applied to scrofulous sores, burns, cuts, swellings and chest pains[3]. Heated leaves have been applied tot he body in order to draw out splinters and thorns[3]. The leaves have also been used as a general tonic in a herbal sweat bath[3].

The raw root has been chewed by women in order to secure an abortion[3]. A decoction of the root has been drunk as a blood purifier[3].

Unknown part

Antispasmodic
Blood purifier
Poultice
Styptic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in pots in a cold frame[11]. Keep very moist, preferably by emmersing the pot in 2 -3 cm of water[12]. Germination is usually good, taking place within 1 - 2 months at 15°c[11]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in trays of water in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in the middle of autumn or mid to late winter, but no later than this because the plant will be coming into growth.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lysichiton americanus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a wet or damp humus-rich soil in full sun or semi-shade[12]. Plants often do not flower when grown in the shade[9]. Grows well by water or in the bog garden[13]. Succeeds in shallow water and also in still or flowing water[14].

Hardy to at least -15°c[12]. Young plants require protection from slugs[15]. Plants are slow to establish at first, taking some years, but can then become naturalized and often self-sow[12]. The flowers have an unpleasant aroma[15] which is rather like a combination of skunk, carrion and garlic[16]. This smell attracts flies and midges in great numbers to pollinate the flowers and so spiders tend to like making their webs in the plant so they can catch lots of food[16].

Hybridizes with L. camtschatcense[12].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lysichiton americanus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Lysichiton americanus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lysichiton americanus
Genus
Lysichiton
Family
Araceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
[4][1][3]
Material uses & Functions
[9][2][3][10]
Botanic
[17][12]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
aquatic
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    1 x 0.75 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.7 Turner. N. J. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples UBC Press. Vancouver. ISBN 0-7748-0533-1 (1995-00-00)
    3. ? 3.003.013.023.033.043.053.063.073.083.093.103.113.123.13 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Gunther. E. Ethnobotany of Western Washington. University of Washington Press ISBN 0-295-95258-X (1981-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press ISBN 63-7093 (1963-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 (1979-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    13. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    14. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    17. ? Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press (1959-00-00)

    "image:Lysichiton americanus1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Lysichiton_americanus&oldid=78492"
    Facts about "Lysichiton americanus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAraceae +
    Belongs to genusLysichiton +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has binomial nameLysichiton americanus +
    Has common nameYellow Skunk Cabbage +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves + and Root +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageLysichiton americanus1.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useContainers +, Lining + and Waxed paper +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width0.75 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Blood purifier +, Poultice + and Styptic +
    Has primary imageLysichiton americanus1.jpg +
    Has search namelysichiton americanus + and yellow skunk cabbage +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameLysichiton americanus +
    Has water requirementsaquatic +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Lysichiton americanus +, Lysichiton americanus +, Lysichiton americanus +, Lysichiton americanus +, Lysichiton americanus +, Lysichiton americanus +, Lysichiton americanus +, Lysichiton americanus + and Lysichiton americanus +