Asarum minus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Asarum naniflorum
- Hexastylis minor
- Hexastylis naniflora
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-SAR-um MY-nus
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Little heartleaf is an evergreen herbaceous perennial in the pipevine family (Aristolochiaceae) native to Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. It is found in woodlands. It is a member of the pipevine family (Aristolochiaceae). The species epithet is Latin for “smaller,” and references the size of the leaves relative to other species.
Little heartleaf 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. If conditions are right, it will self-sow.
The leaves grow directly from the underground rhizomes and are heart-shaped, green with silver markings and up to 5 inches long. The unusual flowers lie along the ground from leaf axils and are chestnut brown and bell-shaped, with a constriction near the base. They are slightly malodorous, but the odor is noticeable only close to the flower. The leaves and stems have a slight ginger or peppery smell but should not be eaten.
Use as a groundcover in a woodland or shade garden, native garden, rock garden or winter garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Snails and slugs are occasionally troublesome.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Asarum
- Species:
- minus
- Family:
- Aristolochiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a fleshy capsule that opens irregularly.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are tubular to bell-shaped and widest near the middle of the tube. The three sepal lobes (there are no petals) are spreading and speckled on their interior.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are attractively patterned with silver variegation overlaying the green.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
