My Fascination with Wild Ginger (Asarum)
As a botanist, I’ve always been drawn to the subtle beauty and intriguing properties of the plant genus Asarum, commonly known as wild ginger. These low-growing, often overlooked plants hold a special place in my heart, and I’m excited to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for them with you.
What is Wild Ginger?
Asarum is a genus of perennial herbs belonging to the birthwort family, Aristolochiaceae. These plants are typically found in temperate zones across the Northern Hemisphere, with a rich diversity in East Asia and North America. Unlike the ginger we use in cooking (Zingiber officinale), wild ginger is not typically used for culinary purposes, although some species have been used in traditional medicine.
What captivates me most about Asarum is its unique morphology. The plants are characterized by their creeping rhizomes, heart-shaped or kidney-shaped leaves, and unusual, often hidden flowers. These flowers are typically bell-shaped or pitcher-shaped, and they come in a variety of colors, including brown, purple, and green. They often lie close to the ground, sometimes even hidden beneath leaf litter, and are pollinated by insects such as flies and beetles.
A Diverse Genus
The genus Asarum encompasses a wide array of species, each with its own distinct characteristics:
- Asarum acuminatum (Ashe) E.P.Bicknell
- Asarum ampulliflorum C.T.Lu & J.C.Wang
- Asarum arifolium Michx.
- Asarum asaroides (C.Morren & Decne.) Makino
- Asarum asperum F.Maek.
- Asarum balansae Franch.
- Asarum bashanense Z.L.Yang
- Asarum blumei Duch.
- Asarum campaniflorum Yong Wang & Q.F.Wang
- Asarum canadense L.
- Asarum cardiophyllum Franch.
- Asarum caucasicum (Duch.) N.Busch
- Asarum caudatum Lindl.
- Asarum caudigerellum C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang
- Asarum caudigerum Hance
- Asarum caulescens Maxim.
- Asarum celsum F.Maek. ex Hatus. & Yamahata
- Asarum chatienshanianum C.T.Lu & J.C.Wang
- Asarum chengkouense Z.L.Yang
- Asarum chinense Franch.
- Asarum chueyi Sinn
- Asarum contractum (H.L.Blomq.) Barringer
- Asarum cordifolium C.E.C.Fisch.
- Asarum costatum (F.Maek.) T.Sugaw.
- Asarum crassisepalum S.F.Huang, T.H.Hsieh & T.C.Huang
- Asarum crassum F.Maek.
- Asarum crispulatum C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang
- Asarum curvistigma F.Maek.
- Asarum debile Franch.
- Asarum delavayi Franch.
- Asarum dilatatum (F.Maek.) T.Sugaw.
- Asarum dissitum F.Maek. ex Hatus. & Yamahata
- Asarum epigynum Hayata
- Asarum europaeum L.
- Asarum fauriei Franch.
- Asarum forbesii Maxim.
- Asarum fudsinoi T.Itô
- Asarum fukienense C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang
- Asarum gelasinum Hatus. & Yamahata
- Asarum geophilum Hemsl.
- Asarum glabrum Merr.
- Asarum gusk Hatus. & Yamahata
- Asarum harperi (Gaddy) Diamond
- Asarum hartwegii S.Watson
- Asarum hatsushimae F.Maek. ex Hatus. & Yamahata
- Asarum heterophyllum Ashe
- Asarum heterotropoides F.Schmidt
- Asarum hexalobum F.Maek.
- Asarum himalaicum Hook.f. & Thomson ex Klotzsch
- Asarum hongkongense S.M.Hwang & Wong Sui
- Asarum hypogynum Hayata
- Asarum ichangense C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang
- Asarum ikegamii (F.Maek. ex Y.Maek.) T.Sugaw.
- Asarum inflatum C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang
- Asarum insigne Diels
- Asarum kinoshitae (F.Maek. ex Kinosh.) T.Sugaw.
- Asarum kiusianum F.Maek.
- Asarum kooyanum Makino
- Asarum koreanum J.G.Kim & C.S.Yook ex B.U.Oh
- Asarum kumageanum Masam.
- Asarum kurosawae Sugim.
- Asarum lemmonii S.Watson
- Asarum leucosepalum Hatus. ex Yamahata
- Asarum lewisii Fernald
- Asarum longerhizomatosum C.F.Liang & C.S.Yang
- Asarum lutchuense (Honda) Koidz.
- Asarum macranthum Hook.f.
- Asarum magnificum Tsiang ex C.Y.Cheng & C.S.Yang
- Asarum majale T.Sugaw.
- Asarum marmoratum Piper
- Asarum maruyamae Yamaji & Ter.Nakam.
- Asarum maximum Hemsl.
- Asarum megacalyx (F.Maek.) T.Sugaw.
- Asarum mikuniense Yamaji & Ter.Nakam.
- Asarum minamitanianum Hatus.
- Asarum minus Ashe
- Asarum misandrum B.U.Oh & J.G.Kim
- Asarum mitoanum T.Sugaw.
- Asarum monodoriflorum Hatus. & Yamahata
- Asarum muramatsui Makino
- Asarum nanchuanense C.S.Yang & J.L.Wu
- Asarum nazeanum T.Sugaw.
- Asarum nipponicum F.Maek.
- Asarum nobilissimum Z.L.Yang
- Asarum nomadakense Hatus.
- Asarum okinawense Hatus.
- Asarum parviflorum Regel
- Asarum pellucidum Hatus. & Yamahata
- Asarum petelotii O.C.Schmidt
- Asarum porphyronotum C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang
- Asarum pubitessellatum C.T.Lu & J.C.Wang
- Asarum pulchellum Hemsl.
- Asarum reflexum E.P.Bicknell
- Asarum renicordatum C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang
- Asarum reticulatum Merr.
- Asarum rigescens F.Maek.
- Asarum robilissimum Z.L.Yang
- Asarum rosei Sinn
- Asarum sagittarioides C.F.Liang
- Asarum sakawanum Makino
- Asarum satsumense F.Maek.
- Asarum savatieri Franch.
- Asarum senkakuinsulare Hatus.
- Asarum shoukaense S.S.Ying
- Asarum shuttleworthii Britten & Baker f.
- Asarum sieboldii Miq.
- Asarum simile Hatus. & Yamahata
- Asarum sorriei (Gaddy) Sinn
- Asarum splendens (F.Maek.) C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang
- Asarum sprengeri Pamp.
- Asarum subglobosum F.Maek. ex Hatus. & Yamahata
- Asarum tabatanum T.Sugaw.
- Asarum taipingshanianum S.F.Huang, T.H.Hsieh & T.C.Huang
- Asarum tamaense Makino
- Asarum tawushanianum C.T.Lu & J.C.Wang
- Asarum tohokuense Yamaji & Ter.Nakam.
- Asarum tokarense Hatus. & Yamahata
- Asarum tongjiangense Z.L.Yang
- Asarum trigynum (F.Maek.) Araki
- Asarum trinacriforme Hatus. & Yamahata
- Asarum tungyanshanianum S.S.Ying
- Asarum unzen (F.Maek.) Kitam. & Murata
- Asarum villisepalum C.T.Lu & J.C.Wang
- Asarum virginicum L.
- Asarum viridiflorum Regel
- Asarum wagneri K.L.Lu & M.R.Mesler
- Asarum wannanense Lu Q.Huang & H.S.Peng
- Asarum wulingense C.F.Liang
- Asarum yaeyamense Hatus.
- Asarum yakusimense Masam.
- Asarum yentuense N.A.Tuan & Sasamoto
- Asarum yeonbyeonense M.Kim & S.So
- Asarum yoshikawae T.Sugaw.
- Asarum yunnanense T.Sugaw., Ogisu & C.Y.Cheng
The Allure of Wild Ginger
My interest in Asarum stems from several factors. First and foremost, I’m drawn to their understated beauty. Their foliage provides excellent ground cover, and their unique flowers offer a touch of the unexpected in the shade garden. I also appreciate their adaptability. Many Asarum species thrive in woodland settings, tolerating low light and moist conditions. This makes them valuable additions to shade gardens and naturalistic landscapes.
Furthermore, I’m intrigued by the ethnobotanical uses of Asarum. While not a culinary ginger, some species have been used in traditional medicine for their purported anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. For example, Asarum canadense was used by Native Americans for various ailments, and Asarum europaeum has been used in European folk medicine. However, it’s crucial to note that Asarum species contain aristolochic acid, which is known to be nephrotoxic (harmful to the kidneys) and carcinogenic. Therefore, caution is advised, and it’s essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using any Asarum species for medicinal purposes.
Cultivating Wild Ginger
For those interested in cultivating Asarum, they are relatively easy to grow. They prefer shady locations with moist, well-drained soil. Propagation can be done through division of the rhizomes or by seed. Once established, Asarum requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens.
In Conclusion
Asarum, the wild gingers, are a captivating group of plants that offer both beauty and intrigue. Their unique morphology, adaptability, and ethnobotanical history make them a fascinating subject for botanists, gardeners, and anyone interested in the natural world. As I continue to explore the diversity and wonder of Asarum, I encourage others to appreciate the subtle charm and ecological importance of these often-overlooked plants.
