Asarum shuttleworthii
| Asarum shuttleworthii | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 0.3' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Asarum shuttleworthii
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 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: South-eastern N. America - West Virginia to Alabama.
Habitat: Rich mountain woods[4]. Acidic soils, often along creeks beneath Rhododendron maximum , deciduous or mixed deciduous-conifer forests at elevations of 400 - 1300 metres[5].
Edibility: The following note is for the related A. caudatum, it quite possibly also applies to this species[K].
The root can be used as a ginger substitute[6]. The root has a pungent, aromatic smell like mild pepper and ginger mixed, but more strongly aromatic[7]. It can be harvested all year round, but is best in the autumn[K]. It can also be dried for later use[K].
Leaves are a tea substitute[8][6].
Usage: A useful ground-cover plant for shady positions so long as the soil is not dry[9], spreading by its roots[10].
Pollinators: Flies
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
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[11][12]. Some caution is therefore advised in the use of this plant.
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.
- ↑ Britton, Nathaniel and Addison Brown. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1970.
- ↑ Flora of North America.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Napier, Elspeth. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells, 1989.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.