Araceae FAMILY
Lysichiton americanus
Lysichiton americanus
Edibility
3/5
Medicinal
2/5
Safety & Hazards
The plant is rich in calcium oxylate, this is toxic and if consumed makes the mouth and digestive tract feel as though hundreds of needles are being stuck into it. However, calcium oxylate is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant[ 172 Title Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. Publication Author Schofield. J. J. Publisher Alaska Northwest Books; Alaska Year 2003 ISBN 0882403699 Description A nice guide to some useful plants in that area. ].
Botanical Description
Lysichiton americanus is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.00 metres tall. It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Habitat & Origin
Origintemperate
Native RangeWestern N. America. Sometimes naturalized in Britain.
HabitatOpen swamps and wet woods near the coast[ 71 Title A California Flora. Publication Author Munz P.A. & Keck D.D. Publisher University of California Press; Los Angeles Year 1959 ISBN - Description An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader. ], rarely flowering if in the shade[ 99 Title Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. Publication Author Turner. N. J. Publisher British Columbia Provincial Museum Year 1979 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 Description Excellent and readable guide. ].