Along the trails here in the Blue Ridge, come April there will be green leaves peeking up through the earth.
Take your time as you hike. There’s so much out there to see. Like patches of Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense).
Each plant sends up two heart shaped leaves that split at the soil’s surface. At the axis of those leaves the plant’s single flower appears and reclines on the forest floor. You’ve got to really look for the flower to see it. It’s under the leaves.
These blooms are maroon and the aroma is more like spoiled meat than a blossom ought to be. The pollinators these flowers attract are flies that get the job done.
I’m looking forward to finding these flowers, and after their bloom, finding their seed capsules. My camera needs to capture an image of the seed capsule of a Wild Ginger.
2 responses to “Wild Ginger”
Oh, I miss the plot of wild ginger I had in my old garden. I never thought I would say this, but I cannot grow it here in Florida – it is too warm! But, there’s always a bright side, like growing perennial begonias.
Oh Kathy. Total bummer that you can’t grow wild ginger. My Mom too, who loves fancy bearded irises can’t grow them at her place. BUT she laughs when I tell her about our cold temperatures and ice and snow that we get. THAT makes it all better for her. So glad that you too have a happy alternative with your perennial begonias. WOW! How cool is that!?! You live in such an incredible place!
Thanks for reading my posts.
Bren