Botanical Name: Asarum canadense
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Common Name: Wild Ginger  
Plant photo of: Asarum canadense
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Water Saving Tip:

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  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial, Bulb

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Richard Devine
  • Description

  • Notes

Wild ginger is a mid-west native, growing in rich woods and wooded slopes. A stemless plant with heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, handsomely veined, dark green, basal leaves, 6 inches tall and wide. Cup-shaped, purplish brown flowers (1 inch across) appear in spring on short, ground-level stems arising from the crotch between the two basal leaves. Flowers are quite attractive on close inspection, but bloom singly on or near the ground and are usually hidden from view by the foliage. Although not related to culinary ginger (Zingiber officinale), the roots of this plant produce a scent that is similar. Fresh or dried roots were used by early Americans as a ginger substitute, but the plant is not normally used today for culinary purposes.