Asarum shuttleworthii -

Family:	Aristolochiaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.1
Width:	0.25
Synonyms:
Range:	South-eastern N. America - West Virginia to Alabama.

Asarum shuttleworthii () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.1m and a width of 0.25m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Asarum shuttleworthii will flower in November. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Flies

Soil Information

Asarum shuttleworthii 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
Asarum shuttleworthii prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Asarum shuttleworthii can grow in full or semi shaded areas.

Rich mountain woods[235].

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: 2/5
The following note is for the related A. caudatum, it quite possibly also applies to this species[K]. 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[245]. 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.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

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 shady positions so long as the soil is not dry[197], 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

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

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

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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