Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Saxifragaceae

Genus:

Tolmiea

Species:

Tolmiea menziesii

USDA Symbol:

TOME

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Light Requirements:

Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun,jul

Bloom Colors:

purple, green, brown

Ground Cover:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

hummingbirds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

Thrives in shaded, forested environments

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–42 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination; do not cover. Also propagates easily from plantlets that form on leaves.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI