Eradication of invasive skunk cabbage underway in eastern France
Fight against foreign plant underway in Bas-Rhin
As an invasive species, the white skunk cabbage threatens biodiversity and the balance of local ecosystems
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An operation to eradicate an invasive plant that has taken over marshes in part of France’s Grand Est region is underway.
“Some 446 white skunk cabbage plants (Lysichiton camtschatcensis) – at least half of which grew this year – have now been dug up by forestry workers,” said Jonathan Fischbach of the north Alsace branch of the Office national des forêts (ONF) on June 9.
The operation was carried out in the Ingwiller forest in Reipertswiller (Bas-Rhin) – a Natura 2000 site – where the plant was spotted in 2024. This was the first recorded sighting of the species in the wild, according to the Conservatoire Botanique Alsace Lorraine.
The plant’s flowers resemble the white arum lily, with broad oval leaves measuring up to 90 cm. It is native to north-east Asia and, as an exotic species, it threatens biodiversity and the balance of local ecosystems in France.
The white skunk cabbage is considered an emerging espèce exotique envahissante (EEE; exotic invasive species), and is thought to have spread after being planted around a nearby private pond.
“These plants have since been removed by the owners following our efforts to raise awareness,” said Mr Fischbach.
“Eradicating emerging invasive species as soon as they appear reduces the risk of large-scale spread.”
Skunk cabbage plants can be harmful if eaten, and may cause irritation to skin and eyes.
Following their removal, the plants’ bulbs, roots and flowers are set to be destroyed via methanisation. This process uses waste to produce renewable energy in the form of biogas.
The removal of the plants was financed through state funding via the Mission d'intérêt général ‘Biodiversité et paysage’ (Public interest mission ‘Biodiversity and Landscape’).
A similar operation was conducted in Moselle concerning the yellow skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), which has been on the official EU list of EEE since 2016. A full list of more than 400 EEE in France is available here.
The ONF has reminded members of the public to take care when buying exotic plants from garden centres, and warns that dangerous species (such as pampas grass, which was banned from sale in France in 2023) can still be purchased.
“As the managing body for public forests, the ONF’s mission is to preserve biodiversity and, as in this case, to combat the establishment of certain EEE,” said Mr Fischbach.
