Asarum canadense

Asarum canadense flower tipped upwards to show details of the stigma and stamens.

comments (10)

Christine Young

Lion

Great color on this one! Posted 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! I was surprised to find it where I did last year because since I've lived here (1970) I've never seen it in these woods. Looks like a big colony is in the making. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    That's interesting because I have never seen as many as I have in the past couple years. I've only lived here 8 years, but I've noticed a big increase. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Gary B
      
      Lion
      
      It does spread easily once it gets started like in a garden. I wonder what is causing the wild ginger to increase in population size where you live. Was it there before but just in lesser amounts? Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        It was there, but in lesser amounts. Last year, I noticed it spreading out. This spring, I've found several large patches. So, the small patches have now increased to larger ones. It really seems to spread easily. Posted 6 years ago
      2. Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        Just like in one of my flower gardens! It started as a cutting I found. At first it grew slowly but in about 15 years was overtaking the rest of the plants. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Wow! Have you noticed many ants near the plants? Ants are known to distribute the seeds of wild ginger. They eat the elaiosome and then leave the seeds scattered near their nests. I'm not sure how much this helps with seed dispersal, but it probably helps. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        I'm sure there are ants (they seem to be everywhere) but I've never noticed them taking seeds. I'm going to have to look for the elaiosomes if I can this summer. Trilliums and Dicentra seeds also have elaiosomes and are ant-dispersed. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Oh, fascinating! I didn't know that about Trillium and Dicentra. I'd love to find an ant carrying a seed away, but have not been so lucky - not yet, at least ;P. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        Even the bleeding hearts dicentra has elaiosomes. Violets, too. I'm going to have to take a look at Corydalis seeds if any plants show up this year. I think you'd have to spend a good part of the day just watching the ants to see one carry off a seed. Posted 6 years ago

The Canada wild ginger

"Asarum canadense", commonly known as Canada wild ginger, is a herbaceous, perennial plant which forms dense colonies in the understory of deciduous forest throughout its native range in eastern North America, from the Great Plains east to the Atlantic Coast, and from southeastern Canada south to around the Fall Line in the southeastern United States.

Info 23 0

Similar species: Piperales

Species identified by Gary B