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Tolmiea menziesii
Tolmiea menziesii (Pursh) Torr. & A. Gray
Youth On Age, Piggyback-plant, Youth-on-age, Thousand Mothers
Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)
Synonym(s): Tiarella menziesii
USDA Symbol: TOME
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
This perennial’s several wand-like flower stalks, up to 2 1/2 ft. tall, produce loose flower clusters. The modest flowers are an unusual greenish-purple to chocolate color and have bright-yellow anthers. The broad sepals contrast with the filamentous petals. Lobed and toothed leaves, reduced upward on the stem, are hairy.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 30 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Green , Purple , BrownBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , OR , WACanada: BC
Native Distribution: S. AK, s. to Santa Cruz Co., CA, mostly to the w. of the mts.
Native Habitat: Moist woods; stream banks
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: This unusual plant reproduces vegetatively by developing plantlets at the juncture of petiole and leaf blade. It is often sold as a house plant.
Benefit
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Minor skin irritation on contact. Symptoms include allergic reactions; redness, itching, blisters; low risk. Toxic Principle: Unidentified. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Description: Easy to propagate from seed, leaf plantlets, or pieces of rootstock.Seed Treatment: No treatment necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FACW | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant SocietyWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Tolmiea menziesii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Tolmiea menziesii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Tolmiea menziesii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-28Research By: TWC Staff