Asarum caudatum: Wild Ginger – Heart-Shaped Leaves and Hidden Flowers

Asarum caudatum – Wild Ginger, Long-Tailed Wild Ginger

Asarum caudatum, the Western Wild Ginger, is a lush, evergreen ground cover native to moist, shady forests of western North America. It features large, heart-shaped, glossy dark green leaves that form a dense, weed-suppressing carpet. In spring, it produces unusual, jug-shaped, brownish-purple flowers with three long, tail-like sepal extensions – hidden at ground level beneath the foliage. The flowers are pollinated by beetles and flies.

Wild Ginger thrives in deep shade and rich, consistently moist, acidic soil. It spreads slowly by rhizomes to form a substantial colony. The roots have a ginger-like aroma and were used as a spice substitute by indigenous peoples. It is a premier native ground cover for the woodland garden, providing bold texture and reliable evergreen presence. Deer-resistant and low-maintenance.

Plant Profile