Asarum arifolium
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Asarum grandiflorum
- Hexastylis arifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-SAR-um ay-rih-FO-lee-um
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Heart-leaf ginger is an evergreen herbaceous perennial in the pipevine family (Aristolochiaceae) native to the southeastern United States that can be found growing in dry woodland settings. The species epithet is Latin, meaning “leaves like Arum” [an unrelated genus in the arum family, Araceae].
The plant creeps along by underground stems and grows up to 8 inches tall. It prefers dappled shade to partial shade, but not full shade, in moist, well-drained soil that is not allowed to dry out. Propagate by seed or division. When conditions are right, it will self-sow.
The leaves grow directly from the underground stems and are arrow-shaped, green or variegated and up to 8 inches long. The unusual flowers lie along the ground from leaf axils and are jug-shaped and brownish to reddish. The leaves and stems have a slight ginger or peppery smell. Although not reported in the literature to be toxic, the foliage of other members of this genus is toxic. Do not consume any parts of this plant.
Use as a groundcover in a native or shade garden. It is also good in a shady rock garden, cottage garden or a pollinator garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Snails and slugs are occasional visitors.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Green Valentine'
Green foliage with lighter green markings.
- 'Green Valentine'
- 'Green Valentine'
- Tags:
Download Image
Download Image
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Green Valentine'
Green foliage with lighter green markings.
- 'Green Valentine'
- 'Green Valentine'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Asarum
- Species:
- arifolium
- Family:
- Aristolochiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Groundcover
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TN , VA
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollination is done by ants and flies.
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Shade
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Horizontal
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round, fleshy capsule. Displays from May to July.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The jug shaped flowers bloom from March to June. They grow at the base of the plant and are hidden by the leaves.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Evergreen leaves are heart shaped deep blue-green with entire margins and a silvery pattering.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are underground
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
- Rabbits
