Asarum canadense Wild Ginger

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Asarum canadense visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
Wild Ginger flowers
The inconspicuous flowers of Wild Ginger, known as Little Brown Jugs, can be found hiding under the green, glossy leaves.

Cultivation Information Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger leaves unfolding
Height - 6 - 8 inchFlower Color - Maroon, Blooms - April - June Soil - Moist, lots of organic material, best to leave some of the leaves in the fall.Hardy Zone - 3 - 7 Perennial
Small flowers - without petals are hidden under leaves Ground Cover - Wonderful woodland groundcover Organic Material - Wild Ginger does best with a layer of leaf humus/organic material
Family – AritolochiaceaeSpace – 10 to 12 inches apart
Over the Years – We noticed that patience combine with a nice thick layer of leaf humus will ensure that your Wild Ginger patch expands and thrives!

Propagation Notes Wild Ginger

Seedlings - It is best not to disturb Wild Ginger plants in the spring, as small seedlings will begin to form under the mother leaves. You can either leave the young shoots protected, or carefully transplant them. Both methods work well. Of course transplanting is more work, but in my opinion more fun!
Dividing your Patch - We allow our Asarum canadense patches to mature (1 to 1 1/2 feet) before dividing in the fall. I have successfully moved Wild Ginger, in the spring however at the expense of developing flowers.
Plant/Seed Provenance Wild Ginger
Root Stock - Hickory Farms - 2011 Mosinee, WI - Seed - Nodding Onion Gardens 2012 - present
The shape of the leaves on Wild Ginger make it easy to identify

Wildlife Significance Asarum canadense


Host Plant - For Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillarsPollinated - By flies and beetlesSeed Dispersal - Is a job for ants!White Tailed Deer - Aren't fond of ginger. It seems if they are hungry enough, they will eat anything.
For more details on this plant, visit the Illinois Wildflower website
While hiking, in Mohican State Park, Ohio we discovered this patch of Asarum canadense growing in the cool shade next to a small stream.

Historical Herbal Remedies Culinary Ginger

Culinary Ginger (Zingiber officinale) vs. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
*Information in the following paragraphs is strictly provided for educational purposes only. Nodding Onion Gardens is not qualified or certified to make any herbal recommendations. We are merely fascinated by how closely knit relationships held between pollinators, birds, wildlife, plants and people truly are!
Culinary ginger (Zingiber officinale) is held in high esteem for both its warm, robust, peppery taste as well as medicinal properties. It is not to be confused with Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense), the two plants are not related. Zingiber officinale is in the Zingiberaceae family along with Turmeric (Curcuma longa ) and Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum,) coincidently these are three of my favorite spices. Asarum canadense is in the Aristolochiaceae family. Culinary ginger, readily available in grocery stores, is used to treat motion sickness, relieve symptoms of colds and flu; it also has anti-inflammatory attributes. What is not to love about a hot cup of Chai tea? Native American Ethnology website records that Indigenous people utilized Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) for medical purposes. However, it contains the chemical Aristolochic acid which is considered nephrotoxic (meaning it damages the kidney in a high enough dose). I have been advised not to consume plants in the wild unless you are with someone who is well versed in forging or you yourself are knowledgeable.
Contact
noddingoniongardens@gmail.com
Location
Columbia Station, Oh 44028 US
Ohio Department of Agriculture Nursery Inspection 2009 - 2025
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