Asarum caudatum
WESTERN WILD GINGER
SKU: 1210-010
Description
Asarum caudatum (British Columbia wild ginger, western wild ginger, or long-tailed wild ginger) is a native perennial of forests of North America (USA and Canada). It has evergreen foliage, with flowers that develop from March to August. The flowers are distinct, hirsute (hairy), cup-shaped, and brown-purple to green-yellow. The long rhizomes give rise to persistent reniform (kidney/heart shaped) leaves. Leaves are found in colonies or clusters as the rhizome spreads, forming mats. The leaves emit a ginger aroma when rubbed.
Caudatum comes from the Latin cauda meaning tail. This refers to the tail-like shape of the flower's calyx.
Asarum caudatum is found in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Idaho, and Montana in moist, shaded environments. It is a typicaly found in the understory of mixed conifer forests, and is often a dominant plant.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 6-9
Height: 20 cm, 8"
Location: Shade or part shade
Note: Ornamental use only. These plants or seeds may be poisonous.
Germination: Start these seeds right away for best germination rates. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. First keep them at room temperature for 3-4 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. Then cover them with plastic to retain moisture, and then place in a fridge for 6-8 weeks. Then bring them to a cool room (approximately 12°C, 54°F) for 6-8 weeks. If they are not growing they will need a second cold period, cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for another 6-8 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the second cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool (12-15C, 54-59F) room for them to germinate. This double cold period is not always needed, but sometimes necessary, and is very normal for these seeds. Germination is in 30-90 days after the second warming period, sometimes longer.
Description
Asarum caudatum (British Columbia wild ginger, western wild ginger, or long-tailed wild ginger) is a native perennial of forests of North America (USA and Canada). It has evergreen foliage, with flowers that develop from March to August. The flowers are distinct, hirsute (hairy), cup-shaped, and brown-purple to green-yellow. The long rhizomes give rise to persistent reniform (kidney/heart shaped) leaves. Leaves are found in colonies or clusters as the rhizome spreads, forming mats. The leaves emit a ginger aroma when rubbed.
Caudatum comes from the Latin cauda meaning tail. This refers to the tail-like shape of the flower's calyx.
Asarum caudatum is found in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Idaho, and Montana in moist, shaded environments. It is a typicaly found in the understory of mixed conifer forests, and is often a dominant plant.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 6-9
Height: 20 cm, 8"
Location: Shade or part shade
Note: Ornamental use only. These plants or seeds may be poisonous.
Germination: Start these seeds right away for best germination rates. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. First keep them at room temperature for 3-4 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. Then cover them with plastic to retain moisture, and then place in a fridge for 6-8 weeks. Then bring them to a cool room (approximately 12°C, 54°F) for 6-8 weeks. If they are not growing they will need a second cold period, cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for another 6-8 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the second cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool (12-15C, 54-59F) room for them to germinate. This double cold period is not always needed, but sometimes necessary, and is very normal for these seeds. Germination is in 30-90 days after the second warming period, sometimes longer.
