Asian Skunk-cabbage
Lysichiton camtschatcensis
Arum family (Araceae)
The stink in the swamp
The Asian Skunk-cabbage (Lysichiton camtschatcensis) and the American Skunk-cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) are true marsh plants. The white species comes from Asia and the yellow species from North America where the plant is known as the skunk cabbage due to its cabbage-like leaves and its unpleasant (tar-like) smell.
The characteristic feature of the skunk cabbage is the large inflorescences, which appear in the early spring, and the huge leaves that develop after flowering. The inflorescence (one species with a white spathe and the other with a yellow spathe) emit the foul smell to attract pollinators - carrion flies and beetles.
In various regions of Europe the yellow skunk cabbage is becoming a bothersome weed. As a consequence is no longer allowed to trade this species on the open market.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Utrecht Botanic Gardens.
Details
| Description: | Herb, leaves up to 1 m long. |
|---|---|
| Distributions: | Northeastern asia |
| Habitat: | Swamps, wet forests along streams and lakes |
| Year cycle: | Perennial (trees and shrubs included) |
| Hardiness: | Colder than -4 f (very hardy) |
| Flowering period: | Maart - april |
| Flower color: | White |
| Notes on flowers: | Flowers arranged in a spadix, bisexual, surrounded by a white spathe; flowers sometimes emit a foul odour, but not always. |
| Fruiting period: | Juni - juli |
| Fruit color: | Green, grey, red, cerise, brown |
| Notes on fruits: | Green berries, containing 2-4 red-brown to grey-brown seeds. |
| At its best: | April - mei |