Asarum arifolium

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Although no reports of toxicity have been found for this plant, at least 3 other members of this genus have reports that the leaves are toxic^[9]^[3]. Some caution is therefore advised in the use of this plant.

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The root is stomachic^[8].

Product or use: Stomachic

An essential oil obtained from the plant has the odour of sassafras^[7].

Product or use: Essential

Environment

Range

South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Louisiana.

Habitat

Upland deciduous and mixed deciduous-conifer forests from sea level to 600 metres^[6].

Light

partial sun

Shade tolerance

permanent shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 7+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral

Drainage

well drained

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

Drought

intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer^[2]. Stored seed will require 3 weeks cold stratification and should be sown in late winter^[2]. The seed usually germinates in the spring in 1 - 4 or more weeks at 18°c^[2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out when large enough in late spring. Division in spring or autumn. Plants are slow to increase^[4]. It is best to pot the divisions up and keep them in light shade in the greenhouse until they are growing away strongly.

Cultivation

Prefers a rich moist neutral to acid soil in woodland or a shady position in the rock garden^[1]^[4]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c^[4]. The flowers are malodorous and are pollinated by flies^[4]. The root has a pungent, aromatic smell like mild pepper and ginger mixed, but more strongly aromatic^[5]. Plants often self-sow when growing in a suitable position^[4].

References

F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

↩

Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

↩1 ↩2 ↩3

Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

↩

Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

↩1 ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

↩

Flora of N. America http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/