Skunk Cabbage
Symplocarpus foetidus
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Sue Sweeney.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Araceae
- Genus:
- Symplocarpus
- Species:
- Symplocarpus foetidus
- USDA Symbol:
- SYFO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- feb,mar,apr
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, maroon, green, brown
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cattail Borer Moth (Bellura obliqua), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia fuliginosa)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, organic, moisture-retentive soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and swampy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Seeds must be kept moist and never allowed to dry out. Fresh seed germinates best; germination is erratic and slow.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for optimal germination.
Source: Claude AI