Skunk cabbage is a plant that grows in wet, swampy areas throughout much of North America. With its large green leaves and distinctive maroon-and-yellow flower, it’s easy to spot in early spring when little else is growing. But while skunk cabbage may look harmless, it can be dangerous if consumed by humans. Here’s why you should avoid eating this plant.
What is skunk cabbage?
Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is a low-growing, herbaceous plant that thrives in wetlands and along stream banks. It gets its name from the skunk-like odor that it emits when its leaves or stems are crushed. This odor comes from compounds called volatile sulfur compounds that help protect the plant from being eaten by herbivores.
Skunk cabbage is one of the first plants to emerge in early spring, often pushing up through snow. Its leaves can grow up to 3 feet long and its cone-shaped flowers are wrapped by a prominent yellow and maroon spathe. The plant reproduces by seed and also spreads via rhizomes to form large colonies.
While skunk cabbage is native to North America, related species are found in eastern Asia. In traditional Chinese medicine, the Asian species (Lysichiton camtschatcensis) has been used to treat respiratory and skin conditions. However, the American skunk cabbage lacks the medicinal compounds found in its Asian relatives.
Why is skunk cabbage toxic?
All parts of the common skunk cabbage contain calcium oxalate crystals. These crystals are needle-like structures that can irritate the skin, mouth, and digestive tract. When leaves or stems are chewed, the crystals penetrate the mucous membranes and cause painful swelling, burning, and blistering.
If large amounts of the plant are eaten, skunk cabbage can cause more severe reactions including:
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness and tremors
In rare cases, the calcium oxalate may also cause kidney damage. Dogs and livestock have died from eating skunk cabbage leaves and roots.
While the calcium oxalate crystals are the main toxic agent, skunk cabbage also contains other compounds like alkaloids and lectins that may cause additional adverse effects if ingested.
What are the symptoms of poisoning?
If someone eats skunk cabbage, they will likely experience the following symptoms within minutes to a few hours:
- Burning pain in the mouth, throat, and tongue
- Swelling of lips, mouth, and throat
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty speaking and swallowing
- Blisters or sores in the mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
In severe cases, people may also experience:
- Weakness, dizziness, and tremors
- Abdominal pain
- Leg pain or temporary paralysis
- Blood in the urine from kidney damage
- Seizures
- Coma
The most serious effects occur when someone eats a large portion of the skunk cabbage plant. The calcium oxalate and other toxins can rapidly lead to electrolyte abnormalities, kidney failure, neurologic dysfunction, and even death. Seek immediate medical help if skunk cabbage poisoning is suspected.
What to do if you ingest skunk cabbage
If you believe you or someone else has ingested part of the skunk cabbage plant, take the following steps:
- Rinse out the mouth to help remove any residual plant material or oxalate crystals. Give the person large amounts of water or milk to drink.
- Call the poison control center or go to the emergency room if severe symptoms like swelling, drooling, difficulty breathing, or vomiting occur.
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a medical professional, as this may cause further damage.
- Suck on ice chips or frozen fruit to help soothe pain and swelling in the mouth and throat.
- If blisters, sores, or irritation develop in the mouth, avoid hot or spicy foods until healed.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea. Sports drinks with electrolytes can help replenish lost minerals.
- Seek follow-up medical care to check for any injuries or kidney problems.
With prompt first aid and medical treatment, most skunk cabbage poisonings resolve without lasting effects. However, it’s still important to avoid eating any part of this toxic plant.
Why does the skunk cabbage contain toxins?
Plants produce toxic compounds as a form of protection against being eaten by herbivores. The foul odor and burning taste of skunk cabbage’s chemical defenses deter most animals from consuming it.
The calcium oxalate crystals and other toxins make the plant tough, chewy, and irritating to eat. Since few predators feed on skunk cabbage, the toxins give the plant an evolutionary advantage despite being harmful to humans.
Interestingly, some animals like black bears will eat skunk cabbage early in spring when other foods are scarce. The bears seem to tolerate its defenses better than people. But for human foragers, skunk cabbage is always a plant to avoid.
Can you process skunk cabbage to remove the toxins?
There is no reliably safe method to remove the calcium oxalate crystals and other toxic compounds from skunk cabbage. Some people claim boiling it for an extended time makes the plant edible, but research does not support this.
While boiling may help break down the more volatile toxins, it does not get rid of the calcium oxalate crystals that are responsible for most of skunk cabbage’s harmful effects. The needle-like crystals remain intact even with prolonged cooking.
Since there is no foolproof way to prepare skunk cabbage for consumption, it’s best to simply avoid it altogether. The risks of poisoning greatly outweigh any potential benefits. Foragers should never experiment with toxic plants like skunk cabbage.
Are there non-toxic look-alikes?
Some edible plants bear a resemblance to skunk cabbage and could potentially be confused by novice foragers. Here are a few non-toxic look-alikes found in North America:
Golden club
| Skunk cabbage | Golden club |
|---|---|
| Leaves large, up to 3 feet long | Leaves slender, no more than 1 foot long |
| Leaves have unpleasant skunky odor when crushed | Leaves lack strong odor |
| Flowers yellow with maroon-red hood | Flowers bright yellow with no hood |
Golden club (Orontium aquaticum) has bright yellow flowers that resemble skunk cabbage’s at first glance. However, golden club lacks the red spathe and its leaves are longer and more slender. It does not have the same skunky odor or toxicity.
Cat-tail
| Skunk cabbage | Cat-tail |
|---|---|
| Leaves low to the ground around a central flower | Leaves are taller, coming off a central stalk |
| Leaves thick and waxy | Leaves thinner and more reed-like |
| Flowers are bulbous, emerging first from the ground | Flowers are cylindrical, emerging from a tall stalk |
The cat-tail (Typha latifolia) is another marsh plant that could be mistaken for skunk cabbage when not in bloom. However, cat-tails have a tall stalk before the cylindrical brown flower appears. Skunk cabbage’s leaves and flower emerge directly from the ground.
Jack-in-the-pulpit
| Skunk cabbage | Jack-in-the-pulpit |
|---|---|
| Leaves only located at ground level around the flower | Leaves located both at ground level and on separate upright stem |
| Flower wrapped by single bract (spathe) | Striped flower enclosed by hood-like spathe with upright spadix |
| Emerges very early, even through snow | Emerges a bit later in spring |
The unique flower of jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) bears some resemblance to skunk cabbage when closed up. However, jack-in-the-pulpit has a tall flower stem and striped spathe. It also lacks skunk cabbage’s foul odor.
Careful observation of the leaves, flowers, growth habit, and smell allows skunk cabbage to be distinguished from similar marsh plants. None of these comparators contain the same toxins.
Where does skunk cabbage grow?
Skunk cabbage is found throughout much of North America, including:
- Northern California
- Pacific Northwest – Oregon, Washington, British Columbia
- Midwest and Great Lakes region
- Northeastern states and Eastern Canada
- Appalachian Mountains
- South along the Appalachians into Georgia
Within these regions, skunk cabbage grows in wetland habitats including:
- Swamps and marshes
- Floodplains
- Wet woods
- River and stream banks
- Ditches
- Seasonally flooded areas
Skunk cabbage needs damp, mucky soil to thrive. It often anchors itself in the mushy ground near seeps, springs, drainage areas, or vernal pools.
In urban areas, you may find skunk cabbage popping up in wet vacant lots, parks, or backyard gardens where drainage collects. Always be cautious of toxic plants that encroach on cultivated spaces.
When does skunk cabbage emerge?
One of the most distinctive traits of skunk cabbage is its early emergence in late winter and early spring. It is able to generate heat, allowing it to melt its way through snow and ice to reach the surface.
- December to February – Begins growing under the soil
- February to March – Leaves and flowers emerge while air temperatures are still freezing
- March to April – Flower stalks fully elongated and leaves unfurled
- April to May – Flowers mature and give way to green berry-like fruit
- Late spring – Leaves die back until next year
So if you see any plant material poking up while snow still covers the ground, it is likely skunk cabbage. Use extreme caution and avoid ingesting any part of this early riser. Once the weather warms up, skunk cabbage will be harder to spot among other greenery.
Is skunk cabbage endangered?
Given its widespread range across North America, skunk cabbage as a species is not currently endangered. With its rapid growth and ability to thrive in wetland habitats, populations are abundant throughout most of its native range.
In fact, skunk cabbage can be overly successful and crowd out other sensitive wetland plants. Some ecologists consider it a species of concern when it becomes too dominant.
While invasive species may potentially pose a threat by outcompeting skunk cabbage in its specialized niche, most experts agree the plant’s future seems secure at this point.
However, loss of wetlands in some regions has led to local declines in skunk cabbage. Draining swamps and marshes destroys the habitat this plant relies on to survive. Protecting wetlands from development, pollution, and drainage helps conserve native skunk cabbage as part of a healthy ecosystem.
Responsible foraging that does not involve harvesting skunk cabbage may also give the species a boost by avoiding inadvertent poisonings. Given skunk cabbage’s distinctive appearance and toxicity, eating it should always be avoided.
Key Points
- Skunk cabbage contains calcium oxalate crystals and other compounds that make it toxic to humans.
- Ingesting any part of the plant causes painful irritation to the mouth, throat, and digestive tract.
- There is no safe way to prepare skunk cabbage for consumption – it should always be avoided.
- Seeking prompt medical help is crucial if poisoning occurs.
- Learn how to identify skunk cabbage and safe look-alikes to prevent accidental poisoning.
- Conserving wetland habitats protects existing skunk cabbage populations.
Conclusion
With its foul smell and ability to melt through snow, skunk cabbage is one of the most unique plants in wetland areas of North America. But this plant’s defenses like calcium oxalate crystals make skunk cabbage toxic to humans – eating any part can cause severe mouth, throat, and digestive irritation. Treatment is needed quickly after ingestion to avoid serious complications. To stay safe, learn how to identify skunk cabbage and always admire its quirky adaptations from a distance! Conserving wetlands also helps ensure skunk cabbage remains part of our natural heritage while avoiding inadvertent poisonings.
