The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: Canadian wild-ginger

Family: Aristolochiaceae (birthwort family)

Distribution: e. North America

Habitat: Understory of deciduous (rarely coniferous) forests; 0-1300 m

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: A peculiar wildflower that could easily be missed, Canadian wild ginger is found in Canada, but also in large parts of Eastern United States. It is not related at all to culinary ginger, though it can be used as a substitute. The plant is stemless, consisting only of two downy, heart-shaped basal leaves that can grow up to 6" wide. In April, it produces a cup-shaped purplish brown flower on a short stem that grows very close to the ground from the crotch of the two leaves, which often hide the flowers from view. The flower is about an 1" across and has three triangular lobes that curl backward, as well as long white hairs covering its tubular base. Beetles or flies are likely the main pollinators, while the fleshy seeds attract ants to help with dispersal. The roots are shallow branching rhizomes and plants will often form vegetative colonies.