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Lysichiton americanum
Family: Araceae
Genus: Lysichiton
Species: americanum or americanus
Common name: Yellow Skunk Cabbage
Lysichiton americanum
Bog and water plants seem to fall into one of two categories. Delicately structured pretty little things or whopping great beasts.
Lysichiton americanum or americanus if you prefer most definitely falls into the monster box.
Flowers up to 30cm high are produced in spring in advance of the much larger leaves. Typical of the Aroid family the flowers consist of a simple spadix surrounded by a decorative spathe, which seem reminiscent of old theater stage lights.
After the flowers the leaves romp of to reach up to 1.2m high.
where to plant Lysichiton americanum
If you don't have a pond, bog, or permanently wet corner in your garden then Lysichition americanum is probably not the plant for you. Lysichition americanum likes wet soils, rich in organic matter and fertile enough to support those large vigorous leaves.
It will tolerate a reasonable amount of shade and perhaps is at its best in those dingy corners where the flowers can really shine out in spring.
Lysichiton americanum companion plants
Since Lysichiton americanum produces such large leaves and occupies an environment not suited to most plants it might seem difficult at first glance to find suitable companions. None the less many other moisture loving plants can be used alongside Lysichiton americanum provided they are robust enough in leaf.
My particular favorite would be Peltiphyllum peltatum sometime known as Darmera. Like Lysichiton americanum Peltiphyllum peltatum flowers in spring on leafless stalks before smothering sight of the ground with large rounded leaves.
similar plants to consider
Lysichiton americanum shares its genus with only one other species, the unpronounceable Lysichiton camtschatcensis, well worth knowing just for the name. A similar looking plant that produces a white rather than yellow flower.
Lysichiton americanum at a glance
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