About This Plant
Wild ginger is a lovely, low-growing native plant with heart-shaped leaves that can serve as a ground cover in shaded areas; however, it needs moist, well drained, and organically rich soil. You have to get low to the ground to spot its burgundy-colored, short-lived blossom that is pollinated by ants, flies, and gnats, which are attracted to the pungent odor. The cup-shaped bloom provides insects shelter from chilly spring weather.
Plant Details
Environment
Attributes
- Plant Types
- Peak Bloom Seasons
- Leaf Retentions
- Growth Rates
- Mature Plant Heights
- Maximum Plant Width
- Bloom Colors
- Bloom Times
- Additional Features
Benefits
- Wildlife Benefits
Plant Facts
Wild ginger is a larval host plant for pipevine swallowtail butterfies. | Supposedly, wild ginger’s roots have a taste similar to tropical ginger and was once used as a substitute for real ginger, although it is not recommended for consumption due to the aristolichic acid within it.
Alternate Names
Canadian Wild Ginger, Common Wild Ginger, Black Snakeweed, Canadian Snakeroot, Colic Root, False Crowfoot, Ginger Root, Heart-leaf, Pigs, Snake Root, Southern Snakeroot, Southern Wild Ginger, Vermont Snakeroot
