Skunk Cabbage | National Wildlife Federation

• Contact Us
• Blog

Donate

• One-Time Gift
• Give Monthly
• Corporate Giving
• Renew
• In Memory / Honor of
• Matching Gifts
• More Ways to Give

• Our Work
  • Climate
  • Conservation Policy
  • Environmental Justice
  • Habitats
  • Indigenous Partnerships
  • Our Lands
  • People
  • Waters
  • Wildlife Conservation
• Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • Certify a Garden
  • More Ways to Give
  • Action Fund
• About Us
  • Mission & Strategic Plan
  • History & Heritage
  • Equity & Justice
  • Offices & Affiliates
  • Executive Leadership
  • Partners & Supporters
  • Financials
  • Careers
• Kids & Family
  • Connecting Kids and Nature
  • Ranger Rick Kids
  • Ranger Rick Store
  • About Ranger Rick
• Educational Resources
  • Wildlife Guide
  • Educator Tools
  • Education Programs
  • Reports
• Magazines
  • National Wildlife®
  • Ranger Rick®
  • Ranger Rick Jr.™
  • Ranger Rick Cub™
  • Ranger Rick Zoobooks®
  • Ranger Rick Dinosaurs™
  • Content Licensing
• Latest News
  • Press Releases
  • Blog
  • Media Resources
• Contact Us
• Blog

Skunk Cabbage

1. Home
2. Educational Resources
3. Wildlife Guide
4. Plants and Fungi
5. Skunk Cabbage

Skunk Cabbage

Symplocarpus foetidus

Status: Not Listed

Classification: Plant

Description

The skunk cabbage is a flowering perennial plant and is one of the first plants to emerge in the spring. The flowers appear before the leaves and are characterized by a mottled maroon hoodlike leaf called a spathe, which surrounds a knob-like structure called a spadix. The spadix is actually a fleshy spike of many petal-less flowers. As the flowers mature, the spathe opens more to allow pollinators such as flies and carrion beetles to enter and pollinate the flowers.

Range

Skunk cabbages can be found throughout eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, west to Minnesota and southeast to Tennessee and North Carolina. A similar plant, the western skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) is found in California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, and British Columbia.

The skunk cabbage emerges from late February through May (depending on the region) in woodlands, wetlands, or near streams. Most animals avoid skunk cabbage because it causes a burning sensation when eaten, but bears will eat young plants in the spring. Native Americans have used it as a medicinal treatment for coughs and headaches. For a time in the 1800s, it was sold as a drug called dracontium to treat a variety of ailments.

Life History

Skunk cabbage has a remarkable ability to produce heat that allows it to emerge and bloom even when the ground is still frozen. During the winter when temperatures are freezing, the flower buds can warm up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which melts the snow around the plant. Pollinated flower heads develop berrylike fruits containing seeds, which germinate into new skunk cabbages the next growing season. Skunk cabbage leaves decay rather quickly. The leaves have high water content, so there is less plant matter to dry out and decompose. A skunk cabbage loses its leaves annually, but the plant itself can live up to 20 years.

Conservation

The skunk cabbage is listed as endangered in Tennessee. The destruction of lowland habitats is considered a threat to this species.

Fun Fact

The skunk cabbage gets its name from the unpleasant odor it emits. This scent is a way for the plant to attract pollinators that are attracted to rotting meat. The scent is especially noticeable when the plant is injured. It travels easily because it is carried on the warm air that constantly rises from the spathe.

Sources

Flora of North America, eFloras.org

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

National Park Service

Nature Institute

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The Nature Conservancy

USDA Plants Database

Get Involved

Donate Today

Sign a Petition

Donate Monthly

Sign Up for Updates

What's Trending

UNNATURAL DISASTERS

A new storymap connects the dots between extreme weather and climate change and illustrates the harm these disasters inflict on communities and wildlife.

Learn More

Come Clean for Earth

Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place.

Learn More

Native Plant Finder

Get a list of highly impactful plants that are native to your area based on your zip code!

Check It Out

Where We Work

More than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive.

Learn More ABOUT US CONTACT US MAGAZINES BLOG ACTION FUND CAREERS

PO Box 1583, Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

800.822.9919

Join Ranger Rick

Inspire a lifelong connection with wildlife and wild places through our children's publications, products, and activities

Learn More

Follow Us

National Wildlife Federation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

×

You are now leaving nwf.org

In 4 seconds, you'll be redirected to NWF Action Fund, a separate and distinct 501(c)(4) nonprofit affiliated with NWF.