How much sun does Giant adder's-tongue need?

Giant adder's-tongue grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Giant adder's-tongue bloom?

Giant adder's-tongue blooms in March and April.

Where is Giant adder's-tongue native?

Giant adder's-tongue (Erythronium oregonum) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Giant adder's-tongue attract?

Giant adder's-tongue draws bees.

Giant adder's-tongue

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Erythronium oregonum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Giant adder's-tongue (Erythronium oregonum) is a perennial forb native to CA, OR, WA. It blooms in March and April. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown

Giant adder's-tongue (Erythronium oregonum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

6"–14" H × 4"–8" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

CA, OR, WA

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains

A small woodland bulb called the giant white fawn lily, with mottled gray-green leaves and nodding white flowers with a yellow center that curve their petals sharply backward in early spring, then goes dormant by summer.

Growing Giant adder's-tongue

Grow Giant adder's-tongue in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 6 to 14 inches tall and spread 4 to 8 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Early spring flowers provide one of the season's first nectar sources for emerging native bees in woodland habitat.

Common questions

How much sun does Giant adder's-tongue need?: Giant adder's-tongue grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Giant adder's-tongue bloom?: Giant adder's-tongue blooms in March and April.
Where is Giant adder's-tongue native?: Giant adder's-tongue (Erythronium oregonum) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Giant adder's-tongue attract?: Giant adder's-tongue draws bees.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Giant adder's-tongue? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app