Distinguishing Characteristics
Eastern Skunk cabbage, known as Symplocarpus foetidus, is a wildflower that is one of the earliest wild plants to send up a blossom in the spring. It is usually found in swamps, wetlands, woods, and near streams. Eastern skunk cabbage is native to eastern North America from Nova Scotia to Tennessee. In March look for a cone-shaped furl of mottled purple leaves that are waiting to bloom. This maroon-mottled hood-like sheath is called a spathe, which is also part of the plant's flower. If the spathe is bruised, it emits an offensive odor, that is similar to the essence sprayed by a skunk when disturbed. The leaves of this plant are large, almost pre-historic looking and mottled with contrasting patches of bright green making them easy to spot. The broad cabbage-like leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals that protect the plant from many animals, although black bears have been known to dine on the leaves.
In addition to its putrid smell, the most interesting characteristic of this plant is that it can regulate its temperature well above the outside temperature throughout the day and night. This allows the skunk cabbage plant to melt the ice and snow around it! The leaves decay in the early summer but unlike other plants whose leaves dry out and fall off, the leaves of this plant dissolve into a black slimy substance that soaks back into the ground.
Medicinal, Culinary, and Witchcraft Uses
Although the roots are toxic, Native Americans would harvest the root and then dry and pound it into a powder. This peppery flavored powder would be added to a tea or stew and used to soothe lung ailments, including asthmatic and bronchial spasms. The Abnaki, Iroquois, Menominee, and Delaware made a poultice of the leaves of this plant to soothe cuts and swelling. Delaware also chewed small portions of the leaves to treat epilepsy and the Menominee used a compound infusion of the dried root to treat convulsions. The Mohegan also ate raw leaves that were rolled and chewed for fits and convulsions.
The Iroquois used the plant to treat children with worms. They also used steam from a compound decoction of roots to treat rheumatism. A decoction of crushed stalks, as well as the upper part of the plant and its seeds, was used by the Iroquois as a gynecological aid. They also used a poultice as a witchcraft medicine and made a poultice that was used on a bite from a fight or dog and caused the biter's teeth to fall out. The Menominee also used this plant as a witchcraft medicine. The root was used in tattooing as a talisman against the return of diseases.
Skunk Cabbage roots were harvested and steamed in-ground cooking pits and were sometimes referred to as Indian potatoes. The large older leaves called "Indian wax paper" were used to collect and dry berries. Skunk cabbage was also used in combination with other herbs for tattooing.
Did you Know...
During the 1800s, doctors in the U.S. regularly prescribed a drug derived from skunk cabbage to patients suffering from respiratory disease and rheumatism.
Skunk Cabbage is also known as eastern skunk cabbage, swamp cabbage, clump foot cabbage, meadow cabbage, foetid pothos, or polecat weed.
The leaf, flower, and root of this plant should never be eaten raw because it contains calcium oxalate crystals that produce a terrible burning sensation.
The age of a skunk cabbage can be found through its leaves. Young plants have many just a few leaves and old plants have many.
The eastern skunk cabbage has roots that grow down and contract, the plant is pulled into the earth. As the plant sinks deeper and deeper, the lower leaves are forced underground. To find out if it is an old plant, dig down into the ground to look for leaves.
The odor of the skunk cabbage attracts bees and flies that pollinate the plant.
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