Asarum caulescens (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Dappled shade to shade
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 15cm
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Aristolochiaceae
Asarum caulescens is a low growing deciduous herbaceous perennial with a spreading habit. Its dark green glossy leaves are kidney shaped with entire margins, up to 9cm long and 10cm broad. Its pink/ brown flowers are up to 1.3cm across and appear below the canopy of leaves. Its roots are stoloniferous rhizomes which aids its spread.
Asarum caulescens Leaf (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Asarum caulescens, commonly known as Wild Ginger, is native to central and north central China and Japan. In its native habitat it grows in mixed forest.
The etymological root of the binomial name Asarum is derived from the Latin asa meaning ‘alter’. Caulescens is derived from the Greek kaulos meaning ‘stem’.
The landscape architect may find Asarum caulescens useful as a tropical looking ground cover plant for shady areas.
Asarum caulescens Flower (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Asarum caulescens is of little value to UK wildlife.
Asarum caulescens prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Asarum caulescens requires little maintenance.
