Lysichiton americanus

Yellow skunk-cabbage, Yellow Skunk-Cabbage

Family: Araceae · Type: perennial · Native

Yellow skunk-cabbage is a California native perennial found in northern coastal and central coastal bioregions in marshy areas and stream edges within conifer forests at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to June, this distinctive plant produces yellow-green, ill-smelling flowers surrounded by a large yellow bract that can reach up to 20 centimeters long. Growing with massive fleshy leaves 30 to 150 centimeters long, it develops a thick central midvein that gradually blends into its sturdy petiole. Its broad leaves emerge in spring after flowering, creating a dramatic presence in wet forest understories with their substantial size and distinctive form. The plant produces green-white fruits that develop after its memorable flowering period.

Habitat: Uncommon. Marshy areas, stream edges, generally in conifer forest

Bloom period: Mar-Jun

Elevation: < 1300 m

Bioregions: NCo, CCo

California counties: Mendocino, Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, Siskiyou, Santa Cruz, Trinity

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.