Description
Lysichiton – Skunk Cabbage – Lysichitum –
There are 2 species of robust, marginal aquatic perennials, in this genus. They occur in Northeastern Asia and Western North America. They are grown for their basal cluster of large, pointed, heart shaped, glossy, mid to dark green leaves and their spring borne yellow or white spathes, up to 24″ long, that surround spadices bearing small, bisexual green flowers. Flowers appear before the leaves. They have a musky smell. Grow beside a stream or pool.
Grow in fertile, humus rich soil at the margins of a stream or pool, in full sun or partial shade.
L. camtschatcensis – White Skunk Cabbage – This marginal aquatic perennial from Northeastern Asia grows 30″ tall and wide. It produces rosettes of ovate-oblong, strongly veined, leathery, glossy, mid to dark green leaves, 20-39″ Long. In early spring it bears ovate to broadly lance shaped, usually pointed white spathes, to 16-24″ high, appear before the leaves.
Zones 5-9
