Flower profile
Western skunk cabbage
Lysichiton americanus
Western skunk cabbage is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 3 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in February–May.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Alaska, Oregon, Washington
Quick look
Lysichiton americanus, also called western skunk cabbage (US), yellow skunk cabbage (UK), American skunk-cabbage or swamp lantern, is a plant found in swamps and wet woods, along streams and in other wet areas of the Pacific Northwest, where it is one of the few native species in the arum family.
- It belongs to the Araceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 7 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Washington, Oregon and Alaska. NatureServe
- In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–May. iNaturalist
- In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in February–May. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 8,345 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #10 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 5,088 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #20 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 2,084 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #12 among the 108 flowers on our Alaska list. iNaturalist
Western skunk cabbage gift ideas
Handmade western skunk cabbage gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Western skunk cabbage art print
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Western skunk cabbage greeting card
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Western skunk cabbage mug
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Western skunk cabbage earrings
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Western skunk cabbage embroidery pattern
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Western skunk cabbage sticker
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in each of our 3 states
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Native | March–May | 8,345 |
| Oregon | Native | February–May | 5,088 |
| Alaska | Native | April–June | 2,084 |
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Washington
- No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
- Oregon
- Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
- Alaska
- No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alaska.
- Rare elsewhere
- No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records Western skunk cabbage in 7 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming.
Washington counties with USDA records: Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, Yakima.
Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Umatilla, Wasco, Washington, Yamhill.
Alaska counties with USDA records: Chugach, Copper River, Haines, Juneau, Ketchikan Gateway, Kodiak Island, Sitka, Yakutat.
More Washington flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile LYAM3.
- iNaturalist, Lysichiton americanus: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Lysichiton americanus (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
- Oregon: Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070).
- Oregon: Oregon noxious weed quarantine, A and B weeds (OAR 603-052-1200).
- Alaska: Alaska prohibited and restricted noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Lysichiton americanus (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
- Photo: Ryan Kurtz via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.