Wild ginger, or Asarum canadense, is a plant species native to North America. It is found in the understory of deciduous forests in the United States and Canada. It is a low-growing herbaceous plant that spreads by rhizomes, with heart-shaped leaves and small, bell-shaped flowers usually hidden by the foliage. The plant is named for its root, which has a strong, spicy aroma reminiscent of ginger but is not related to the ginger plant.
Wild Ginger's Uses
Wild ginger has a long history of use by various indigenous peoples in traditional medicine. It has been used to treat digestive issues, headaches, menstrual cramps, and respiratory problems. It is typically harvested in the spring and fall and can be used raw or dried. It is often brewed into tea, which can be used as a digestive aid, a stimulant, and an expectorant. The root can also be made into a poultice and applied topically to wounds, burns, and sore muscles.
Besides its medicinal properties, it is also valued for its culinary uses. The root has a pungent, spicy flavor similar to ginger but a more complex, earthy taste. It can replace ginger in many recipes, adding a unique flavor to soups, stews, and marinades. It can also be used as a fresh or dried seasoning, adding a subtle flavor to salads, dressings, and other dishes.
Wild Ginger Is Essential to Wildlife
Wild ginger is an essential plant for wildlife, providing food and habitat for various species. The plant's flowers are pollinated by flies, which are attracted to the scent of the root, while several herbivores, including deer, rabbits, and groundhogs, eat the leaves. The plant's dense foliage also covers a variety of small mammals, birds, and insects.
It is from the Asarum species and belongs to the Birthwort family. It's common in deciduous and coniferous forests in North America and Europe. It is commonly used as a medicine and as a spice.
Ginger is slowly established but spreads by rhizomes below the soil surface. Most species are evergreens, but a few are deciduous. Ginger should be planted in shady areas or shade gardens and thrives in moist, rich, well-drained soil.
Wild Ginger's Bloom Season
Depending on your variety, flowers bloom in early spring to summer. However, some species stop producing flowers as early as May-variations of flower color range from deep maroon brown to fleshy white trumpets. The flowers are almost invisible because they grow underneath dense leaves.
Wild Ginger's Growth
Most species of it will reach about 6 inches in height and grow in a clump 6 to 12 inches wide. This plant likes to form a symbiotic relationship with fungi.
Soil Type Preferred
It will need a rich, moist, loamy soil. It must maintain a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees until it germinates in 2 to 4 weeks. When the seedlings get large enough, they can be moved into pots for their first year before planting in soil.
Sun or Shade
It needs to grow in partial or complete shade. Mature plants should be planted in the garden in late winter, a month before the last killing frost. Seeds can be started indoors but must be placed in the freezer for three weeks before planting in flats or pots.
It needs to be watered regularly and can be planted in shade gardens or among trees in foresty areas. Most species have heart-shaped leaves and hairy stems. Ginger grows in dense, dull-green mats six to eight inches in height.
