Aristolochiaceae FAMILY

Asarum europaeum

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

The plant is poisonous in large doses[ 13 Title Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Publication Author Triska. Dr. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3 Description Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore. , 19 Title Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Stary. F. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3 Description Not very comprehensive, but easy reading. ], the toxin is neutralized by drying[ 7 Title Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. Publication Author Chiej. R. Publisher MacDonald Year 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5 Description Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs. ].

Botanical Description

Asarum europaeum is a low-growing, evergreen perennial plant producing a cluster of leaves up to 10cm tall from a creeping rootstock, The plant can spread freely at the roots to form quite large colonies. The rather interesting, but unpleasant-smelling flowers are hidden amongst the leaves[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. Asarabacca has a history of herbal use dating back over 2,500 years, though it is little used in modern herbalism. The plant is also the source of a dye and is grown as an ornamental in gardens, especially as a ground cover for shady places.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeCentral and southern Europe, east to W. Asia. Naturalized in Britain[ 17 Title Flora of the British Isles. Publication Author Clapham, Tutin and Warburg. Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1962 ISBN - Description A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures. ].

HabitatOpen woodland and waterside thickets[ 13 Title Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Publication Author Triska. Dr. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3 Description Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore. , 19 Title Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Stary. F. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3 Description Not very comprehensive, but easy reading. ], especially in beech woodlands[ 7 Title Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. Publication Author Chiej. R. Publisher MacDonald Year 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5 Description Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs. ].