How to Identify Wild Ginger

Taking a walk in the woods in early spring can uncover a variety of interesting plants. Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a low growing native perennial about 6 to 12 inches high that sometimes is hidden under fallen leaves. Popular with pioneers and Native Americans, identifying this useful wildflower is a little bit of history.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Observe where the plant is growing. Wild ginger grows particularly well in Hardiness zones 3 through 7. It prefers locations that offer full or partial shade in rich organic soil. This native plant is commonly found in woodland areas.
2. Examine the leaves. A pair of 3- to 6-inch heart-shaped, velvety green leaves grow from thick stems covered with white hairs make this plant easily identifiable.
3. Crush a few leaves. This is an easy way to identify wild ginger when the leaves are bruised they give off a ginger smell.
4. Evaluate the flowers. The inconspicuous purple-brown flowers appear in April and May and grown only one per plant. They are approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter and grow horizontal to the ground so crawling beetles and flies can pollinate.

Tips & Warnings

• Pioneers dried and pulverized the root of wild ginger and used it as a spice or as a cure for whooping cough. Native Americans also used the plant to cure ailments and as a method of birth control.
• Wild ginger can be grown as a groundcover in the garden. A related species called Heartleaf (Asarum virginicum) has evergreen leaves and grows in sandy, rocky soil.