Asarum canadense L.

wild ginger

Slopes and bases of slopes in rich mesic forests with deep or calcareous soils and occasionally somewhat drier forests over limestone.

Forb/herb

Perennial

Vascular

8

**

A few taxa have been described within Asarum canadense including A. c. var. acuminatum, A. c. var. reflexum, and A. c. var. ambiguum. Some of these have been recognized at the specific level. Much of the variation noted in these taxa is related to the position and shape of the sepals. Asarum c. var. reflexum has calyx lobes reflexed and acute or mucronate tipped. Asarum c. var. ambiguum has the calyx lobes reflexed (or according to Fernald (1950) "ascending to only tardily reflexing") and acuminate to caudate tipped. Asarum c. var. acuminatum has the calyx lobes spreading and caudate tipped. Asarum c. var. canadense has the calyx lobes spreading and acuminate. Other differences have been noted as well. Fernald (1950), states that these varieties freely intergrade. A modern study is needed to determine if any of these taxa should be recognized. In the mean time, we follow Whittemore et al. (1997) in recognizing just one variable Asarum canadense.

Native FACU (NWPL EMP) UPL (NWPL NCNE) S5 (State Rank) G5 (Global Rank)

Mitchell and Beal 1979, Whittemore et al. 1997