Asarum canadense
Growing Information
• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Shade
• Soils: Dry to moist
• Bloom Time: Inconspicuous, burgundy-colored flowers in May, June
• Size: 1-2 feet in height, spreads by rhizomes
Also called American Ginger, Asarum canadense differs from the non-native European Ginger in that its foliage is dull and the non-native’s foliage is shiny. Flower are hidden beneath the leaves, almost laying on the ground.
Garden Companions
Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)
Nature Benefits
• Seeds have an elaiosome, a sticky residue attractive to ants that help with seed dispersal.
• Flowers have scent of carrion to attract tiny flies who are responsible for pollination of the ginger flowers.
• Serves as an alternate host plant for the caterpillar of the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly.
Native Habitat
Occurs in shady deciduous forests.