Skunk Cabbage

This plant has a lot of other names, but we figured "skunk cabbage" was evocative enough! Bruised leaves of this plant apparently present an odor reminiscent of skunk, and its Latin classification means "bad smelling". Some people find it repulsive, but the scent is generally described as smelly like cabbage with a "slight suggestion of mustard", and the scent apparently intensifies over time as the plant matures. 

Like other plants in our Ohio Wildflowers collection, Skunk Cabbage is native to eastern North America. It is protected in Tennessee as an endangered species. 

Skunk cabbage, despite its weird smell and off-putting name, is a really cool plant - it produces its own heat, meaning it's one of the first plants to bloom in the spring, since it can melt the snow. Because of its smell, flies are one of its pollinators, and there are often spiderwebs around skunk cabbage since its pollinators would also be food for the spiders. 

It is by-and-large not a great plant to handle, as the calcium oxalate crystals are moderately harmful to humans. Handling the raw leaves can burn skin, and ingesting the raw plant can cause vomiting, nausea, headaches, dizziness, as well as swelling of the tongue, lips, and throat. Despite its seemingly dislike of humans, it has been used as a medicinal herb (the toxicity can be eliminated with enough care)(no, not like that man you're trying to defend). 

Our Skunk Cabbage yarn has a pale yellow base with a burgundy contrast. 

Please note that yarn colors may vary per base as each type of fiber dyes differently. You can learn more on our Yarn Base FAQ page.

BASES:

Hattie Floof: 50g, 437 yards, 70% Superkid mohair/30% silk (lace weight)
Chester Sock: 100g, 437 yards, blend of 75% superwash merino/25% nylon
Gladys Shawl: 100g, 438 yards, single ply blend of 70% superwash merino/30% silk
Tortie Sport: 100g, 287 yards, 80% alpaca/20% silk
Minnie DK: 100g, 246 yards, 100% superwash merino wool 
Genny Worsted: 100g, 191 yards, 80% superwash merino/20% alpaca
Chubby Trevor: 115g, 136 yards, 100% superwash merino
Chunky Trevor: 150g, 82 yards, 100% superwash merino, single ply
Summer Fingering: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 438 yards
Summer DK: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 246 yards
Summer Worsted: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 181 yards
Piper Fiber: 85% Polwarth Wool/15% Tussah Silk, approximately 4oz braid of fiber for spinning, felting, etc