Tsorà:kare (Skunk Cabbage)

It’s almost spring and one of the first signs of the changing seasons is Tsorà:kare (Mohawk) or Skunk Cabbage. Hold your nose…

Let's answer the question on everyone's mind. Skunk Cabbage gets its name from its funky odor. In fact, its pungent smell attracts pollinators like bees, scavenging flies, carrion beetles, and stoneflies that are drawn to rotting meat!
Indigenous communities use Tsorà:kare in many different ways. The Nanticoke have put the leaves in infusions or teas to treat colds and coughs, while the Lenni-Lenape create a Skunk Cabbage poultice that can be applied to the skin to relieve pain. The Haudenosaunee turn Tsorà:kare roots into a powdered deodorant and also cook young leaves in a peppery sauté. 

Tsorà:kare is native to eastern North America, and usually grows in wetlands, woodlands, or near streams. It has the incredible power to generate heat that allows it to push itself up from the soil and bloom even when the ground is still frozen! Flower buds can warm up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, melting the ground - and any snow - around the plant. 🔥

Join us in heralding the arrival of longer, warmer days, recognizing the beauty of our native plants, and celebrating the relationships Native people have with these plants.

Keep reading to learn about other plants native to the Delmarva region like Òxeataeyòk (Sunflower), Nènèskakw (Eastern Redbud), and Mahchikpi (Pawpaw). 

*Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a doctor before using this plant for a medical purpose.*

Sources: Cornell Botanic Gardens, Friends of Glen Providence Park, National Wildlife Federation , Native American Ethnobotany Database from UM- Dearborn, Mohawk Dictionary