Aristolochiaceae FAMILY

Asarum canadense

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

3/5

Safety & Hazards

The leaves are poisonous[ 19 Title Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Stary. F. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3 Description Not very comprehensive, but easy reading. ]. Handling the leaves is said to cause dermatitis in some people[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].

Botanical Description

Asarum canadense is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of leaves up to 20cm tall from a creeping rootstock, The plant can spread to form 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. , 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. The plant was a commonly used herbal remedy for the native N. American people, and it is still often used in modern herbalism. It is usually harvested from the wild and can also be used as a condiment and incense. The plant is grown as an ornamental, and makes a good ground cover.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeEastern N. America - Manitoba to New Brunswick, south to Louisiana and Georgia

HabitatMoist rich soils in woodlands, usually on calcareous soils[ 43 Title Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition Publication Author Fernald. M. L. Publisher American Book Co.; New York Year 1950 ISBN 0442222505 Description A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America. , 159 Title Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Publication Author McPherson. A. and S. Publisher Indiana University Press Year 1977 ISBN 0-253-28925-4 Description A nice pocket guide to this region of America. ]. Understorey of deciduous (rarely coniferous) forests; at elevations from sea level to 1,300 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].