Lysichiton americanus aka Western Skunk Cabbage

Lysichiton americanus belongs to the arum family, Araceae. It is a herbaceous perennial: a plant with soft growth that lives for years. People call it American skunk cabbage or western skunk cabbage. It comes from western North America. Its range runs from southern Alaska south to northwestern California. It also grows in British Columbia, Idaho, and western Montana. It lives in a temperate climate. In the wild, it grows in open swamps and wet woods near the coast.

This plant grows strongly and forms a clump of huge leaves. The clump spreads at a slow rate and can cover ground. Its rich green, oval leaves reach 3.9 feet (1.2 metres) long. They come out after the flowers. The leaves make up much of the plant's bulk. They shed water, too. Their size and surface made them useful as food wraps and basket liners. People folded them into cups and used them to hold berries they gathered.

Bright yellow flowers look like those of other arums. They bloom in early spring, before the leaves come out. The flower display stands about 1.3 feet (0.4 metres) high. A strong, foul smell gives skunk cabbage its name. Early blooms and large leaves add value beside water. PFAF lists bog gardens, pond edges, and woods as sites. It also lists sites with dappled shade and shady edges. Yet PFAF says plants rarely bloom in shade. It gives a USDA hardiness range of zones 5–9.

Its garden value comes with a grave limit in the UK. The RHS lists it as an invasive non-native species. This means it comes from elsewhere and spreads in ways that cause harm. It is on the relevant lists for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. UK rules ban its sale. Gardeners should control plants they already have. They must not plant it or let it grow in the wild. This local warning takes weight over PFAF's broad claim that it has no weed potential.

The plant contains calcium oxalate, which can harm those who eat it. It can cause sharp pain in the mouth and digestive tract. PFAF records food uses for leaves, roots, shoots, and young flower stalks. These accounts call for much work to prepare the parts. They also warn against eating them raw. They do not show that casual home preparation is safe. Indigenous North American peoples also used parts in poultices, or packs placed on the body. These past uses do not prove that the plant is safe or has medical benefits.