SafePlants

Hartweg's Wild Ginger (Asarum hartwegii)

Considerations for Pets

• This plant forms tight clumps.
• It grows only inches tall, so it may be easily accessible to pets.

Considerations for Children

• This plant forms tight clumps.
• It grows only inches tall, so it may be easily accessible to children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Asarum hartwegii S. Watson
• Common Names: Hartweg's Wild Ginger, Marbled Wild Ginger, Hartweg's Wildginger, Wild Ginger
• Family: Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort Family)
• Synonyms: Mentions of misidentification as *Asarum caudatum* (Western Wild Ginger) and similarity to *Asarum lemmonii* (Lemmon's Wild Ginger) exist.

Distribution and Habitat

• Endemic to California.
• Also found in southern Oregon and along the Sierra Nevada.
• Grows in forest habitats, specifically foothill to upper montane dry slopes in conifer forests.
• Examples given include McArthur-Burney Falls State Park (Shasta County, CA), Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Yosemite National Park.

Morphological Characteristics

• Forms evergreen clumps.
• Foliage is dark green, heart-shaped with white marbling along the veins. Hairs are present along the leaf edges.
• Reaches a height of approximately 4 inches and can spread to about 12 inches.
• Small brown-red triangular shaped flowers are hidden below the leaves.

Distinguishing Features

• Asarum hartwegii can be distinguished from the similar *Asarum lemmonii* by the presence of white lines along the major leaf veins.

Further Information

• Dave's Garden is mentioned as a resource for garden tips and ideas.
• NetPS Plant Finder is credited for providing foliage photographs.
• CalPhotos is listed as a source for additional photographs.
• Gettys Images offers stock photos of the plant.
• The Native Plant Society of Oregon is mentioned.