Asarum caudatum                Family: Aristolochiaceae
(ah-SAR-um kaw-DAH-tum)

Common name: British Columbia wild ginger; western
wild ginger; long-tailed wild ginger
Zone: 3 – 8
Height: 5-8 in (12-20 cm)
Spread: 12-18 in (60-75 cm)
Aspect: partial shade; full shade
Soil: moderately fertile; well-draining
Water: moderate

Description: A semi-evergreen perennial with a slowly spreading, ground-covering habit. Kidney-shaped, medium green, glossy leaves show their distinctive veining. Leaf stems are covered in very fine, soft hairs. Cup-shaped, brownish-purple flowers appear in mid-spring. Very distinctive with their petals terminating in long, graceful tails. Look for them laying atop the soil, hidden under the leaves.

Special Notes: Native to the Pacific Northwest. Great ground-cover plant but is slow to establish. Will tolerate some sun. Foliage and roots have a spicy ginger and citrus fragrance when crushed. Relatively pest- and disease-free. Slugs and snails may be a problem in early spring. Deer and rabbit resistant. Propagate by fresh seed; divide in early spring or autumn. Will self-sow.

 

Great Plant Pick 2006

 

Posted on April 19, 2013; updated on August 7, 2024