Skunk Cabbage
Scientific Name: Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) Salisb. ex W.P.C. Barton
Synonyms: Spathyema foetida (L.) Raf.
Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Arecidae / Arales / Araceae / Symplocarpus Salisb. ex W/ Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) Salisb. ex W.P.C. Barton
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Usda Symbol | SYFO |
| Group | Monocot |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Growth Habits | Forb/herb |
| Native Locations | SYFO |
Plant Guide
Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Skunk Cabbage is planted.
Plant Traits
Growth Requirements
| Temperature, Minimum (°F) | -33 |
|---|---|
| Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Fine Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Medium Textured Soils | Yes |
| Anaerobic Tolerance | Medium |
| CaCO3 Tolerance | Low |
| Cold Stratification Required | No |
| Drought Tolerance | Low |
| Fertility Requirement | Medium |
| Frost Free Days, Minimum | 150 |
| Hedge Tolerance | None |
| Moisture Use | High |
| pH, Maximum | 7.0 |
| pH, Minimum | 4.0 |
| Planting Density per Acre, Maxim | 4800 |
| Planting Density per Acre, Minim | 1700 |
| Precipitation, Maximum | 60 |
| Precipitation, Minimum | 40 |
| Root Depth, Minimum (inches) | 12 |
| Salinity Tolerance | None |
| Shade Tolerance | Tolerant |
Morphology/Physiology
| After Harvest Regrowth Rate | Slow |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | None |
| Resprout Ability | No |
| Shape and Orientation | Erect |
| Active Growth Period | Spring |
| Bloat | None |
| Coppice Potential | No |
| Fall Conspicuous | No |
| Fire Resistant | Yes |
| Flower Color | Purple |
| Flower Conspicuous | Yes |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Foliage Porosity Summer | Moderate |
| Foliage Porosity Winter | Porous |
| Fruit/Seed Conspicuous | No |
| Growth Form | Rhizomatous |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Height, Mature (feet) | 2.0 |
| Known Allelopath | No |
| Leaf Retention | No |
| Lifespan | Moderate |
| Low Growing Grass | No |
| Nitrogen Fixation | None |
| Foliage Texture | Coarse |
Reproduction
| Propagated by Seed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Propagated by Sod | No |
| Propagated by Sprigs | No |
| Propagated by Tubers | No |
| Seed per Pound | 65000 |
| Fruit/Seed Period End | Fall |
| Seed Spread Rate | Slow |
| Seedling Vigor | Medium |
| Small Grain | No |
| Vegetative Spread Rate | Slow |
| Propagated by Corm | No |
| Propagated by Container | No |
| Propagated by Bulb | No |
| Propagated by Bare Root | Yes |
| Fruit/Seed Persistence | No |
| Fruit/Seed Period Begin | Spring |
| Fruit/Seed Abundance | Low |
| Commercial Availability | Routinely Available |
| Bloom Period | Summer |
| Propagated by Cuttings | No |
Suitability/Use
| Veneer Product | No |
|---|---|
| Pulpwood Product | No |
| Post Product | No |
| Palatable Human | No |
| Nursery Stock Product | No |
| Naval Store Product | No |
| Lumber Product | No |
| Fodder Product | No |
| Christmas Tree Product | No |
| Berry/Nut/Seed Product | No |
