Carried by 30 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Asarum caudatum (British Columbia wild ginger, Western wild ginger, or long-tailed wild ginger) is native to rich moist forests of western North America from British Columbia to California and as far east as western Montana. Within California it is found primarily along the coast from Santa Cruz County northward. In spring, it develops distinct hirsute (hairy) cup-shaped, brown-purple to green-yellow flowers which terminate in three long gracefully curved lobes, often concealed by leaves. The long rhizomes give rise to persistent reniform (kidney/heart shaped) leaves. Leaves are found in colonies or clusters as the rhizome spreads. The leaves emit a ginger aroma when rubbed.
In the garden this plant must have regular water and virtually no direct sun.
Perennial herb
1 ft Tall
Spreading
Evergreen
Pleasant
Brown, Purple, Yellow
Spring
Containers, Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative
Deep Shade, Partial Shade
High, Moderate
Max 1x / week once established
Easy
Tolerates cold to 10° F
Medium
Woodland soil with high organic content.
Soil PH: 4.0 - 8.0
1, 2, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 14, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24*
Moist places
Douglas-Fir Forest, Redwood Forest, Yellow Pine Forest
Use as understory to large trees such as Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Yellow Pine (Pinus ponderosa) and many other trees of northern California. Mix with other shade-loving forest plants such as native ferns, Meadow Rue (Thalictrum fendleri), and Elkclover (Aralia californica)