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Lysichiton americanus  Hultén & H. St. John
American skunkcabbage,   Yellow skunk cabbage
© 2016 Steve Matson
© 2016 Steve Matson
© 2016 Steve Matson
© 2016 Steve Matson
© 2016 Steve Matson
© 2016 Steve Matson
© 2022 R.A. Chasey
© 2022 R.A. Chasey
© 2022 R.A. Chasey
© 2015 Douglas Johnson
© 2018 Saskia Raether
© 2012 Terrence Gosliner
© 2023 Dana York
© 2023 Alison Gardner
© 2022 R.A. Chasey
Lysichiton americanus is a perennial herb that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in North America and beyond.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
DJJJASONAFMM

Bloom Period
Genus: Lysichiton
Family: Araceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Monocot
Jepson eFlora section: monocot

Wetlands: Occurs in wetlands

Communities: Northern Coastal Scrub, Redwood Forest

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS + POWO

Alternate Names:
JEFLysichiton americanum
PLANTSLysichiton camtschatcensis
Information about  Lysichiton americanus from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
This plant is available commercially.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (LYAM3)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

[Wikipedia] Odor: The plant is called skunk cabbage because of the distinctive "skunky" odor that it emits when it blooms. This odor will permeate the area where the plant grows, and can be detected even in old, dried specimens. The distinctive odor attracts its pollinators, scavenging flies and beetles. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/28/2025).