Plant Details

Asarum caudatum - Lindl.

Wild Ginger, British Columbia wildginger

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Asarum caudatum - Lindl..

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Common names

5 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • British Columbia wildginger
  • Wild Ginger
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • hazelwortel
  • Mansoor
French
  • Asaret queue-de-rat
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Asarum caudatum - Lindl.
Accepted name (Kew): Asarum caudatum View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Aristolochiaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Asarum (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Wild Ginger, British Columbia wildginger

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.10 m
Spread: 0.30 m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Evergreen

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 6-10
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral
Light:
Shade

Uses

Edible parts:
-
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
-

Description

The root of this plant can be used as a substitute for ginger. It has a sharp, aromatic scent that resembles a mix of mild pepper and ginger, but is slightly more intense. The root can be harvested year-round, but is best in the fall. Additionally, the root can be dried for later use. The leaves can serve as a substitute for tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 30/11

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Asarum caudatum Lindl., name ID 2654279, row 1314559
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 720762; name ID 2654248; Asarum L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.