Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger is a member of the Birthwort Family (Aristolochaceae) that grows at ground level in the crotch between it's two leaf stalks. The single flower is a dark red-brown and shaped rather like a cup. That are difficult to find the first time you seek them, but once found, they are easy to recognize again.

The leaves are large, 3-6 inches, hairy and heart shaped. There are only two of them, each on a sparate stalk.

The flower, which blooms in April and May is found from Canada south to South Carolina.

The root of this plant has a strong ginger-like fragrence and, when cooked with sugar, can be used as a substitute for ginger.