Eastern Skunk Cabbage

Description

Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is a perennial herb native to eastern North America with its range extending from southern Canada in the north, south to North Carolina, and west to Minnesota [1]. Eastern skunk cabbage is a plant in the Arum family or Aracea [3]. This plant is characterized by its large dark green leaves (up to 2ft in length) as well as the large flowering structure called a spathe [2]. Most significantly, the plant is named due to the unpleasant odor that is emitted from it's flowers and damaged leaves [3].

Habitat and Ecology

The eastern skunk cabbage is found almost exclusively in moist, swampy conditions [4]. It typically thrives in wet, water logged soil that it is able to anchor itself into using its long and contractile roots [4]. This tolerance to such wet conditions makes the plant a common site on moist forest floors, in swamps, or along stream banks [4]. This plant can also tolerate heavy shade, making it especially adapted to life on the forest floor. It's large leaves are an adaptation that allows it to capitalize on the low amounts of sunlight that it gets [3]. Although the plant is toxic to most species, it is a food source to some. Some species known to consume the plant include snails, slugs, and a few species of caterpillars as well [3].

Life Cycle

Eastern skink cabbage is a perennial plant which means that it lives for multiple growing seasons. The plant emerges early in the spring (as early as February in some places) making it one of the first plants to emerge each year. The plant is active throughout the spring and summer before the foliage dies off in the fall. Once this happens, the plant goes dormant throughout the winter as a rhizome below the ground [1]. Eastern skunk cabbage is often the first plant to flower in the spring, with its large flower structures (spathes) easy to spot in the springtime. This plant is unique in that since it emerges so early in the season, it is able to generate heat in a process called thermogenesis. These temperatures can reach up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and allow the plant to flower and produce seeds without the risk of freezing [2]. Once it flowers, it is typically pollinated by insects (usually small flies) that are attracted to its strong scent [4].

Uses

Eastern skunk cabbage is a plant that is not at all widely used by humans due to its toxicity. However, some native American tribes did find use for this plant. As a food source, the plant's young leaves and shoots are edible when boiled [5]. Most often however, the plant was used medicinally. Skunk cabbage has been used to treat a variety of ailments ranging from parasitic infections to cancer. Most commonly, it has seen use as pain reliever or anxiety remedy [5].