Wild ginger (Asarum caudatum)

Wild ginger

Features and Characteristics

Asarum caudatum, commonly known as western wild ginger or long-tailed ginger, is a rhizomatous, evergreen perennial that grows in a clump to 6” tall spreading to 18” wide or more. It is native to moist, mixed conifer forests below 2200’ in elevation in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, northern California, Idaho and western Montana where it often forms a thick understory ground cover. It is primarily grown in landscapes for its (a) bold, heart-shaped, evergreen, bright green leaves (4-6” wide) which grow in pairs on long slender petioles from each node, (b) hirsute, cup-shaped, triangular, rusty brown to brownish purple to yellow green flowers which bloom at ground level somewhat concealed by the foliage from April to June, and (c) rhizomatous spread which typically forms an attractive foliage mat. Leaves and roots smell of ginger when crushed, but plants in the genus Asarum are unrelated to culinary ginger (Zingiber officinalis).

Genus name comes from the Latin and Greek name.

Specific epithet means having a tail.

Care and Maintenance

Easily grown in humusy, slightly acidic, consistently moist to wet soils in part shade to full shade. Plants enjoy loose organic soils with good drainage. Plants often appreciate some dappled morning sun. Plants do not perform well in the hot and humid summer temperatures of the deep South. Established plants have some drought tolerance, however. Spreads by rhizomes, but also will self seed with the seeds often disbursed to other locations by ants.

Wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) Requirements

Hardiness zone	7 - 10
Sun light	Part shade to full shade
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Low

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Slugs and snails are common pests of plants in this genus, but the within species is noted for having some resistance to slugs. Watch for rust.

Uses

Evergreen ground cover for moist shady areas of woodland gardens, rock gardens and borders.

Wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) Details

Common name	Wild ginger
Botanical name	Asarum caudatum
Plant type	Herbaceous perennial
Family	Aristolochiaceae
Hardiness zone	7 - 10
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Flower color	Rusty-brown to brownish-purple to yellow-green
Flowering period	April - June
Height	0.25 to 0.50 feet
Width	0.50 to 1.50 feet