Ebsford was approached for advice following an increase of the invasive species, Lysichiton americanus, known as ‘American Skunk Cabbage’ at the Drift Reservoir, Cornwall.
This invasive certainly lives up to its name and is well known for its distinctive ‘skunky’ odour that emits when in bloom. It can grow up to 1.5 metres in height thrives in habitats such as swamps, wet woodlands and in areas surrounding rivers and lakes, so this had become the ideal location for the species to flourish.
Skunk cabbage often appears before other native wildlife and can often out-compete other plants, dominating large areas and using its leaves and dense stands to cause a shading effect. The species can also cause extensive local damage to native flora and over-time create a problem for biodiversity.
South West Water were keen to get this infestation under control before it had a detrimental effect on the landscape but wanted to avoid damaging other more desirable fauna in the process.
Our survey revealed the species covered an area measuring around 30 square metres. As the infestation was small and plants sporadic, Ebsford were confident that this could be eradicated with targeted herbicidal treatment. The management programme which would be carried over three years, limits the impact on other ground flora and is an advantageous method for sensitive areas such as this reservoir.
As the plant takes hold, we are likely to see more and more cases, causing problems to increase and if left untreated could become another invasive problem across Britain’s landscapes.
