Page 113 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Skunk Cabbage, Symplocarpus
foetidus (Eastern) and Lysichiton

americanus (Western) (ARACEAE)

S. foetidus

L. americanus

SKUNK CABBAGE thrives in mucky soils, is usually ways cooked or dried – otherwise poisonous)
first to bloom in spring, as early as February, and may KEY MEDICINAL USES: The root is antispasmodic,
form large colonies. All parts of the plant, especially expectorant and slightly narcotic. Often used for bron-
the flowers, have a strong unpleasant aroma. East- chitis and asthma.

ern Skunk Cabbage, also known as Swamp Cabbage,
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Wear gloves when han-
is native to Eastern North America’s bog and swamp
dling fresh plants. Skunk Cabbage can cause blisters,
margins. Western Skunk Cabbage is native to the
inflammation, and itching. Thoroughly cook all parts
PNW of North America, and is used in a similar way.
of the plant before eating. Change water at least once
FLOWER: Plant flowers in February-April, and seeds during the cooking process. Cut young shoots and
ripen in August-September. Flowers are housed inside leaves at base, or dig up whole plant with root. Nev-
a 3-6 inch (7.5-15cm) long leaf-like bract, or spathe, er soak root when cleaning. Leaves have a peppery
that is twisted at the top with an opening on one side. flavor. I like to use large leaves as “wax paper” for pit
Tiny flowers clustered on a fleshy oval spadix, 1-2 roasts, or to wrap fish in, prior to cooking over a fire.
inches (2.5-5cm) long, measure 0.25 inches (6.35mm) STUFFED TROUT WRAPPED WITH SKUNK CAB-
across, and have 4 stamens and 4 petals. The dark pur-
BAGE LEAVES: Stuff fresh-caught trout with Wood
plish-brown spathe withers once the flower blooms.
Sorrel (Oxalis) leaves, then wrap it completely in
Fruits are roundish, compound, 2-4 inches (5-10cm)
Skunk Cabbage leaves. Place near coals until cooked.
across, with a quilt-like pattern covering the surface.
Unwrap and the Skunk Cabbage will have retained the
It is initially purplish, or greenish, becoming black at
trout’s moisture. Salt as needed.
maturity. It contains many seeds.
WARNING: Skunk Cabbage is poisonous as it contains
LEAF: A rosette of bright green basal leaves grow up
calcium oxalates, a toxic substance that makes the
to 2 ft. (61cm) long and 1 ft. (30cm) wide, on ridged,
mouth and digestive tract feel as though hundreds of
1 ft. (30 m) long, leaf stems. Leaves are smooth, veiny,
needles are being stuck into it. Always cook or dry the
toothless, hairless, and have a blunt or pointed tip.
plant to destroy its toxicity.
EDIBLE PARTS: roots and young shoots/leaves (al-
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