Asarum caudatum

Wild Ginger

These extremely unusual flowers are difficult to spot since they are usually hidden by the plant’s large leaves or by the humus or debris of the forest floor. The pair of broad leaves are heart or kidney shaped, 2″ – 4″ (5 – 10 cm) wide. The brownish-red flowers consist of three sepals that flare broadly and then taper to long pointed tails. When the plant is crushed it has a smell of lemon-ginger. Widespread but uncommon found in moist shaded forests usually below 4,500′ elevation.

Family:

Aristolochiaceae - BIRTHWORT FAMILY

Genus:

Asarum from Asaron, the Greek name used by Diosorides for this genus

Species:

caudatum from Latin, with a tail, for long tail-like tips of the calyx
Photo location: Eastside trail near the Grove of the Patriarchs.