Asarum caudatum - Wild Ginger

Family:	Aristolochiaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.1
Width:	0.25
Synonyms:
Range:	Western N. America - British Columbia to California.

Asarum caudatum (Wild Ginger) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.1m and a width of 0.25m . It has a hardness rating of 7.
Wild Ginger will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Flies

Soil Information

Wild Ginger will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
Wild Ginger prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Wild Ginger can grow in full or semi shaded areas.

Deep shade in moist pine woods and redwood forests[60, 187].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds

Cultivation Details

Prefers a rich moist neutral to acid soil in woodland or a shady position in the rock garden[1, 200]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[200]. The flowers are malodorous and are pollinated by flies[200]. Plants often self-sow when growing in a suitable position[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
The root can be used as a ginger substitute[183]. The root has a pungent, aromatic smell like mild pepper and ginger mixed, but more strongly aromatic. It can be harvested all year round, but is best in the autumn[K]. It can also be dried for later use[K]. Leaves are a tea substitute[177, 183].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The root is laxative, stomachic and tonic[61, 257]. A tea made from the root is used in the treatment of colds, colic, indigestion and stomach pains[213, 257]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. The whole plant is analgesic, antirheumatic, appetizer and tonic[257]. A decoction is used externally to treat headaches, intestinal pain and knee pains[257]. A poultice made from the heated leaves is applied to boils, skin infections and toothaches, whilst a decoction of the leaves is used as a wash on sores[257].

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Antirheumatic - Treats rheumatism.
• Appetizer - Improves the appetite
• Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer[134]. Stored seed will require 3 weeks cold stratification and should be sown in late winter[134]. The seed usually germinates in the spring in 1 - 4 or more weeks at 18°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out when large enough in late spring. Division in spring or autumn. Plants are slow to increase[200]. It is best to pot the divisions up and keep them in light shade in the greenhouse until they are growing away strongly.

Scented parts of the plants

Root : CrushedDried

Known Hazards

Although no reports of toxicity have been found for this plant, at least 3 other members of this genus have reports that the leaves are toxic[7, 19]. Some caution is therefore advised in the use of this plant.

Other Uses

A useful ground-cover plant for deep shade[187], spreading by its roots[208].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Flora of N. America

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
Publisher : An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
Date of Publication : 0

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