Western Wild Ginger

Naming

''Caudatum'' comes from the Latin ''cauda'' meaning tail. This refers to the tail-like shape of the flower's calyx.

Distribution

''Asarum caudatum'' is found in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Idaho, and Montana in moist, shaded environments. It is a typical herb found in the understory of mixed conifer forests under 2,200 feet in elevation, and is often a dominant plant. It reproduces rhizomatously, meaning many mats are formed by one clonal plant connected by a rhizome. ''A. caudatum'' can also reproduce sexually, with its seeds dispersed by ants. Their flowers are pollinated by flies. However, cross-pollination is rare. Ants are attracted by a fatty appendage attached to the seed.

The ants carry the entire package back to their colonies. The seed is often dropped outside the nest once the ant realizes only the appendage is edible. Due to the costs of producing seeds with an appendage to attract ants, it is more energetically favorable for the plant to reproduce rhizomatously.

Status

''Asarum caudatum'' is not listed a species of concern. However, the habitat in which it is native is threatened in some regions by logging and other land uses.

Habitat

''Asarum caudatum'' is found in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Idaho, and Montana in moist, shaded environments. It is a typical herb found in the understory of mixed conifer forests under 2,200 feet in elevation, and is often a dominant plant. It reproduces rhizomatously, meaning many mats are formed by one clonal plant connected by a rhizome. ''A. caudatum'' can also reproduce sexually, with its seeds dispersed by ants. Their flowers are pollinated by flies. However, cross-pollination is rare. Ants are attracted by a fatty appendage attached to the seed.

The ants carry the entire package back to their colonies. The seed is often dropped outside the nest once the ant realizes only the appendage is edible. Due to the costs of producing seeds with an appendage to attract ants, it is more energetically favorable for the plant to reproduce rhizomatously.

Uses

Some describe using ''A. caudatum'' as a ginger substitute and as a tea with medicinal properties. Members of the family Aristolochiaceae contain aristolochic acid, which has been recognized as a carcinogen. In a study on its effects on fungus, ''A. caudatum'' had antifungal properties when tested against nine fungal species.