What's eating my western skunk cabbage?

Western Skunk Cabbage's oxalic acid content deters most animals and insects, making slugs and snails the sole meaningful pest — they readily shred the soft, moisture-loving young leaves in early spring. Mature plants are largely left alone. Slug control around new plantings is the single most important protective step.

Ragged holes and shredded edges on soft emerging leaves in spring; young and newly planted specimens most vulnerable. Apply ferric phosphate slug pellets around young plants; use copper tape on containers. Hand-pick at night after rain. Established plants with large leaves suffer less lasting damage.

Occasional light infestations on flower stems or leaf undersides; rarely significant on vigorous established plants. Knock off with a water jet; encourage natural predators. No specialist intervention usually required.