Plant · GBIF taxon 2869311
western skunk cabbage
Lysichiton americanusAlso known as Yellow Skunk Cabbage, American Skunk Cabbage, Swamp Lantern
Swamp lanterns light up wet Pacific Northwest forests in early spring, producing warm yellow spathes that generate their own heat to melt surrounding snow and release a pungent, skunk-like scent. This distinctive odor attracts early-emerging rove beetles and sap flies that act as key pollinators before tree canopies fully leaf out. After flowering, the plant unfurls giant paddle-shaped leaves that can reach over a meter in length, creating dense understory cover along stream banks.
ThermogenicWetlandFlowering
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Black Bear
- Roosevelt Elk
- Slugs
ThreatsWetland drainage, habitat destruction, and invasive species competition
HabitatsSwamps, wet woods, stream banks, and bogs
Life span20–80 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAlismatales
- FamilyAraceae
- GenusLysichiton
- SpeciesLysichiton americanus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains calcium oxalate crystals; avoid ingestion and wash hands after touching broken leaves or stems.
- Why it is dangerous
- Raw plant tissue contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause severe burning, swelling, and irritation in the mouth and digestive tract.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by giant bright yellow hood-like spathes and massive, glossy paddle-shaped leaves growing in wet muddy ground.
- What to do
- Observe without touching crushed foliage, and keep pets from chewing on any part of the plant.
Responsible observation
- Spring Blooming: Look for brilliant yellow spathes emerging in early spring before tree canopy leaves unfurl.
- Odorous Attraction: Approach closely to detect the skunk-like odor used to attract pollinating flies and beetles.
- Safe Viewing: Avoid breaking leaves or digging roots, as raw sap causes severe mouth and skin irritation.
Frequent Companion no rights reserved, uploaded by Leah Gardner · cc0
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Saryu Mae 前 朝琉 · cc-by
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