Sign In 
Get Premium California Fetid Adderstongue
(Scoliopus bigelovii)
California Fetid Adderstongue (Scoliopus bigelovii)
/
/
Sterling Sheehy
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Sterling Sheehy
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Sterling Sheehy | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Sterling Sheehy | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2016-01-31T19:44:59Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Scoliopus bigelovii, commonly known as California Fetid Adderstongue, is a deciduous perennial herb native to the moist, shaded forest floors of coastal California, particularly in the redwood forests. It typically grows to a height of 0.7-1 feet (21-30 cm) and a width of 0.5 feet (15 cm). This plant is notable for its mottled green and brown leaves and small, distinctive flowers that appear in late winter to early spring. The flowers are brownish-purple with a fetid odor, which attracts pollinating flies. The plant also produces elongated fruits that are spread by ants, a process known as myrmecochory.
California Fetid Adderstongue is valued for its unique appearance and is often used in shaded woodland gardens and naturalized areas where its ecological role in supporting forest floor biodiversity can be appreciated. It requires consistently moist soil and thrives in humus-rich, well-drained conditions. While it is not commonly found in nurseries, it can be a conversation piece in a shade garden due to its unusual flowers and foliage. Gardeners should be aware that it goes dormant in the summer, disappearing completely until the next spring.CC BY-SA 4.0
California Fetid Adderstongue is valued for its unique appearance and is often used in shaded woodland gardens and naturalized areas where its ecological role in supporting forest floor biodiversity can be appreciated. It requires consistently moist soil and thrives in humus-rich, well-drained conditions. While it is not commonly found in nurseries, it can be a conversation piece in a shade garden due to its unusual flowers and foliage. Gardeners should be aware that it goes dormant in the summer, disappearing completely until the next spring.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.7-1 feet
- Width: 0.35-0.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Winter, Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden
Natural Habitat
Moist, shaded forest floors of coastal California, particularly in the redwood forests
Other Names
Common Names: Foetid Adder’s-Tongue, Stinkpod, Brownies, Bigelow’s Adderstongue
Scientific Names: , Scoliopus bigelovii,
GBIF Accepted Name: Scoliopus bigelovii Torr.