Ontario Wildflowers website

Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) Other common names: Indian Ginger

French names: Asaret du Canada

Family: Birthwort Family (Aristolochiaceae)

Flowers: Spring;  Green/Brown;  3 parts (petals)

Leaves: Alternate, Simple, Entire

Height: 10-15 cm (3-5 in)

Habitat: Forests

Grows in Sun/Shade: Shade

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 116   

Native/Non-native: Native

Photography notes: Wild Ginger flowers are always laying right on the ground, and so are very difficult to photograph.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: canadense: of Canada, Canadian


Photographs: 186 photographs available, of which 8 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) flower

Wild Ginger flower.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) flower

The flowers are always very close to the ground.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) leaves

Unfolding leaves at the beginning of May.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Wild Ginger flower buds.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) leaves

Wild Ginger leaves. It grows in patches in the forest, usually on slight slopes.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) plants

On a rock in the woods.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) leaf

A bit of an artsy photo of a Wild Ginger leaf ...

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) plants

Eek - a mid-May snowstorm!


Range map for Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)