Moist to mesic forests in the lowland and montane zones; frequent in S BC south of 55degreeN, absent in Queen Charlotte Islands and adjacent coast; S to ID, MT and CA.
Asarum caudatum is from the mountains of western North America including BC. It has attractive, somewhat glossy, kidney-shaped foliage which combines well with lacy ferns and bleeding hearts. Intriguing brownish-red flowers appear beneath the foliage so make sure to watch for them.
Note Author: Gary Lewis, Phoenix Perennials
Ecology
Ecological Framework for Asarum caudatum
The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range. (Updated August, 2013)
A shade-tolerant, submontane to montane, Westem North American forb distributed in the Pacific and Cordilleran regions. Occurs in cool temperate and cool mesothermal climates on fresh and moist, nitrogen-rich soils. Its occurrence increases with increasing continentality, and decreases with increasing latitude and elevation. Sparse in coniferous forests, scattered in broad-leaved forests on waterÂreceiving (alluvial, colluvial, floodplain, and seepage) sites. Often associated with Athyrium filix-femina, Oplopanax horridus, and Rubus parviflorus. A nitrophytic species characteristic of Moder and Mull humus forms.
