Wild Ginger

(Asarum canadense)

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Corel Corp.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Identification: Plant consisting of two leaves joined at ground level. Flower cup-shaped with 3 red-brown pointed "petals" (actually sepals) arising from the junction between the two leaves. Leaves large, heart-shaped, thickened, and deeply indented at the base. Leaf stem hairy and gray-white in appearance. Root with a ginger aroma. Plant 6 to 12 inches in height.

Distribution: Southern Canada and the eastern United States except Florida. Primarily in the mountains in the south. Westward to the Dakotas and Kansas.

Habitat: Wild Ginger is a species of rich, moist woods.

Flowering period: April to May.

Note: Wild Ginger is not related to the ginger of culinary fame and is not edible.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Similar Species:

This distinctive species is unlikely to be confused with any other spring flowering plant.

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