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Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense

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The common name for this species is a bit of a misnomer as the species is not a true ginger.  Rather it is in the flowering plant family Aristolochiaceae.  Some of the more familiar members of the family Aristolochiaceae are Dutchman's Pipe or Common Pipevine, none of which are native to London, Ontario.  Wild ginger should be celebrated as the only member of the family Aristolochiaceae native to Southern Ontario.  It is a beautiful shade-loving ground cover with unusual red-brown fly-pollinated flowers.

beautiful heart-shaped leaves of wild ginger, spring 2011 (photo NMZ)

Wild ginger flowering, spring 2011 (photo NMZ)