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Image of
Asarum canadense or
Canadian Snakeroot or Canadian wildginger or Little Brown
Buckets herbal plant
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Asarum canadense
(Canadian Snakeroot, Canadian wildginger, Little Brown
Buckets) |
Synonym: Asarum acuminatum
Origin: Native to U.S.
Family: Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort)
Light: Shade-part shade
Height: 4-8"
Spread: 1'
Blooms: 1" across, solitary, reddish-brown to greenish-brown
capsule-like, bell-shaped flower appear between base of 2
leafstalks near ground, April-June
Foliage:
Herbaceous, deciduous, large, 7" across, dark green, hairy,
rounded, heart-shaped, velvety, lustrous
Fruit: Brown irregular capsule, seeds are brown,
wrinkled, large
Soil: Well-drained, rich, acidic, (pH: 6-7) keep moist
Water: Moderate
Insects/Disease: Watch for snails and slugs, leaf rust
Propagation: Seeds (Sow immediately), root division (Fall),
softwood cuttings (Summer)
Uses: Woodland setting, groundcover, shade garden, wildflower garden
Caution: Plant may cause skin irritation - wear gloves when
handling
Comments:
Asarum canadense or
Canadian Snakeroot or Canadian wildginger or Little Brown
Buckets is a native woodland herbal plant
with a low growth habit. From April to June, this interesting
perennial produces a single ornamental reddish-brown to greenish-brown
bell-shaped blossom that appear between a pair of ground level
leafstalks. Canadian Snakeroot blossoms are often not visible as
they are hidden below the beautiful deep green rounded leaves so you will have to lift the leaves
up to
look for them. Canadian wildginger is easily propagated from root
divisions in Fall, from softwood cuttings in Summer or from seeds which
can be sown immediately. If you wish to store the seeds, do not
allow them to get dry before storing them in peat in a cool place.
Little Brown Buckets
grows at ground level and soon forms a nice colony of fleshy,
ginger-scented rootstock.
Asarum canadense makes wonderful groundcovers in the shade
garden. Mass plant the fanatastic
Canadian wildginger
in a woodland setting and in the wildflower garden and they will
reward you with beauty from Spring to Fall. Mulch plants well to
conserve moisture.
In its native habitat, Canadian wildginger is often found
growing wild in rich moist woods, ravines and valleys. The root is
edible and is often cooked with sugar added for taste. Canadian
Snakeroot attracts butterflies and it is a host plant for the
Swallowtail butterfly. Mulch or Little Brown Buckets well to preserve moisture.
Native Indians have found this plant to be very useful. They used
the roots of
Asarum canadense
to add flavor foods especially meat and fish and
in folklore medicine for the treatment of various ailments among which
were indigestion, headaches, colds, heart and urinary problems.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 3-9 |
