Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

OK, here is a strange little plant. You really have to be looking for it to find it.

Wild Ginger

Plant Type: This is a herbaceous plant, it is a perennial which can reach 30cm in height (12inches).

Leaves: This plant has basal leaves only. Leaves can be as wide as 15 cm (6inches). The two heart shaped leaves are entire, have a shinny surface and the leaf stem is hairy at the base.

Flowers: The flowers have 3 Regular Parts and are up to 4cm wide (1.5 inches). They are brown or dark purple. Blooms first appear in early spring and continue into late spring. The flowers are at the base of the plant hidden by the leaves and their color blends in with the leaf litter. Sometimes the flowers are redish sometimes greenish.

Habitat: Rich woods.

Range: New Brunswick south to South Carolina west to Missouri.
     
Since it spreads via the roots Wild Ginger sometimes grows in dense stands. If you see it when not in flower you can test its identity by probing just below the ground with a finger and scratching the root. A ginger like smell on your finger will be proof.

Lore: Native Americans used the root to flavor foods much as real ginger is used (This plant is not related to the ginger you can find in the produce department of your local grocery). In addition it was thought to protect those who ate spoiled meat or food that might be poisoned or have some sort of a spell cast on it from the types of sickness one might expect from eating such food. The accounts of it being used to prevent sickness from eating questionable meat are so numerous as to give the use some credence.

Medical Uses: It was used for many medical purposes including the treatment of digestive disorders, especially gas, and in a poultice on sores. The dried powered leaves were used to promote sneezing. You will find mention in Medicinal and other uses of North American Plants of its being used in large quantities to produce abortion. Often it was used to promote sweating, reduce fever and for coughs and sore throats. Many of these uses may be somewhat valid as the plant has been shown to have certain antimicrobial properties.

The book Field Guide to Medicinal Plants, Eastern and Central North America states that Wild Ginger contains the antitumor compound aristolochic acid. In Magic and Medicine of Plants it states that studies show the plant may cause cancer.

Similar Species: Littlebrownjug, Hexastylis arifolia is very similar. It's flowers are longer and the tip of the sepals are not elongated.
Largeflower Heartleaf, Hexastylis shuttleworthii has relatively large flowers without the elongated tips.

Photographed: A designated state natural area in Middle TN.

Reference: 2bnTheWild.com