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Asarum splendens - (F.Maek.) C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang

Common Name Chinese Wild Ginger
Family Aristolochiaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards Leaves toxic [1-2].
Habitats Forest floors full to part shade.
Range Asia
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Asarum splendens Chinese Wild Ginger


Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) wikimedia.org
Asarum splendens Chinese Wild Ginger
Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) wikimedia.org

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Asarum splendens is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. ching chengense C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang. Heterotropa splendens F. Maek.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

A ginger-like rhizome with a strong potent flavour [1-2]. They are commonly referred to as wild gingers (not a culinary gingers) as their rhizomes have a similar spicy scent.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None Known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

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Other Uses

Groundcover - an excellent groundcover for shade and semi-shade. Known to tolerate Juglone (a poisonous product produced by black walnuts Juglans nigra)[1-2]. Attractive leaves - Containers. Ornamental. Food Forest.

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground Cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A semi-evergreen perennial with thick heart-shaped, dark green leaves. Asarum splendens is a showy, vigorous groundcover for shade with a vigorous rhizomatic root that forms a thick mat of foliage. It will remain semi-evergreen through mild winters. Semi shade to full shade. It prefers moist, slightly acidic organic soil in a well-drained site and is ideal for a shady border or a woodland garden. In China it grows on mountain slopes between 800-1,300 m above sea level. Flower Color: Purple. Bloomtime: Early Spring Foliage Color: Variegated. Resistant: Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant.. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2]. Known to tolerate Juglone (a poisonous product produced by black walnuts Juglans nigra) [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Can also be propagated by division in early spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Chinese wild ginger or showy Sichuan ginger

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Guizhou Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng (northeast),China.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Asarum arifolium Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHFSM012
Asarum blumei Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Asarum canadenseSnake Root, Canadian wildginger, Canada Wild Ginger, Wild GingerPerennial0.1 3-9 SLMHFSM333
Asarum caudatumWild Ginger, British Columbia wildgingerPerennial0.1 6-10 FLMHFSM323
Asarum dilatatum Perennial0.0 -  LMHFSM20 
Asarum europaeumAsarabacca, European Wild GingerPerennial0.1 4-8 SLMHFSM023
Asarum forbesiiDu HengPerennial0.2 -  LMHFSM01 
Asarum heterotropoides Perennial0.2 -  LMHFSM02 
Asarum maximum Perennial0.5 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Asarum nipponicum Perennial0.1 -  LMHFSM10 
Asarum reflexum Perennial0.2 5-9  LMHFSM20 
Asarum shuttleworthiiAsarabacca, Mottled Wild GingerPerennial0.1 5-9 FLMHFSM202
Asarum sieboldiiWild GingerPerennial0.2 -  LMHFSM02 
Asarum takaoi Perennial0.1 -  LMHFSM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(F.Maek.) C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang

Botanical References

Links / References

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