Asarum reflexum
| Asarum reflexum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Asarum reflexum
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer[1]. Stored seed will require 3 weeks cold stratification and should be sown in late winter[1]. The seed usually germinates in the spring in 1 - 4 or more weeks at 18°c[1]. 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[2]. 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[3][2]. Plants are found on alkaline soils in the wild[4].
Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[2].
The flowers are malodorous and are pollinated by flies[2].
Plants often self-sow when growing in a suitable position[2].
Range: Eastern N. America - Connecticut and New York to Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina and Kansas.
Habitat: Rich moist soils in woodlands, along the sides of streams and in river valleys, often forming large patches[4][5][6].
Edibility: The underground stem is a ginger substitute. The root has a pungent, aromatic smell like mild pepper and ginger mixed, but more strongly aromatic[7]. It is usually harvested in the autumn[5][8] and can be dried for later use[K].
Pollinators: Flies
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: 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][10]. Some caution is therefore advised in the use of this plant.
Also Known As: A. canadense reflexum. (Bickn.)Robins.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 McPherson, Alan and Sue McPherson. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press, 1977.
- ↑ Britton, Nathaniel and Addison Brown. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1970.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.