Asarum caudatum
Creeping wild ginger
(c) Jeremiah Degenhardt, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Aristolochiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Asarum caudatum (Creeping wild ginger) is a native California herb in the Aristolochiaceae family, recognized by long calyx lobes and spreading habit.
Creeping wild ginger is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, the high Cascade Range, central Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, and other coastal regions in moist forest habitats at elevations below 2,200 meters. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces maroon flowers with long-tapered lobes up to 9 centimeters long, featuring a white tube with a distinctive red median stripe. Growing with horizontal rhizomes near the soil surface, it forms loose spreading mats with green leafy foliage. Its leaves are entirely green, creating a lush groundcover with blades that spread outward from the plant's horizontal growth pattern. The flower's unique maroon lobes and intricate internal coloration make this wild ginger a subtle yet distinctive woodland plant.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by long calyx lobes and spreading habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist places in forest
Elevation: < 2200 m
California counties: Humboldt, Alameda, Del Norte, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Trinity, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tehama, Napa, Madera, Fresno, Tuolumne
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana
Bloom period
Asarum caudatum blooms Mar-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Viola: Asarum flowers are dark cup-shaped jugs hidden under leaves; violet flowers are raised on stalks with distinct petals.; vs Hedera: Asarum has heart-shaped leaves flat on ground with hidden flowers; ivy has lobed leaves climbing upward.; vs Maianthemum: Asarum has large heart-shaped leaves with single hidden flowers; false Solomon's seal has smaller alternate leaves and white flower clusters.; vs Cyclamen: Asarum flowers are dark cups hidden under leaves; cyclamen flowers are bright pink/white with swept-back petals on tall stalks.; vs Cardamine: Asarum has large heart-shaped leaves with dark hidden flowers; bittercress has compound leaves and white/pink flowers on upright stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Asarum caudatum native to California?
Yes. Asarum caudatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Asarum caudatum bloom?
Asarum caudatum blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Asarum caudatum grow?
Asarum caudatum occurs in Humboldt, Alameda, Del Norte, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, San Mateo, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 2200 m.
What plant family does Asarum caudatum belong to?
Asarum caudatum is in the Aristolochiaceae family, genus Asarum.
What habitat does Asarum caudatum grow in?
Asarum caudatum grows in Moist places in forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.