Wild Ginger

Asarum canadense

Aristolochiaceae - Dutchman's Pipe Family

▲▼ Young, mature plants

▲ Flower (center, at base of leaves, with three dark-red petals)

 Asarum canadense:  Canada Wild Ginger, Wild Ginger

Location on or near campus:  not known

*    herbaceous, ground-hugging plant with rhizomes that send up kidney-shaped or heart-shaped, semi-glossy green leaves along their length; leaves and petioles are pubescent

*    grows 4-10” tall, spreading by rhizomes

*    has dark maroon, 3-petalled flowers in early spring

*    prefers full shade

·         needs moist, well-drained soil and prefers high organic matter levels

*    slow to medium growth rate (spread)

*    dried leaves were used as ginger spice substitute

*    native to Missouri

*    European Ginger:  Asarum europaeum:

*    Has very glossy green leaves

*    Similar growth habit, growth requirements as Canada Wild Ginger, but not as heat tolerant