Wild ginger

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Wild ginger

Wild ginger inflorescence

Wild ginger calyx lobes

Wild ginger leaves

Wild ginger leaves

Wild ginger flower

Wild ginger leaf

Wild ginger

Wild ginger

Morphology

Stem

Stemless

Leaves

Basal, in pairs, simple; stalks 2.4 to 8 inches long, hairy; blades nearly circular to kidney-shaped, 1.6 to 6+ inches long, 3 to 6+ inches wide, palmately net-veined; margins entire; lower surface sparsely appressed-hairy; upper surface nearly smooth; tip rounded or pointed; base deeply heart-shaped.

Inflorescence

Solitary flower between leaf stalks, prostrate or slightly ascending.

Flower

Stalk .4 to 1.2 inch long, pubescent; calyx bell-shaped, 1/2 to 1 inch long, 3-lobed, corolla-like; lobes externally reddish-brown or brownish-purple; internally white or pale green, occasionally purple-mottled; lobe tips triangular, tapering to points, spreading or bent backward; petals absent; stamens 12, appressed to style; stigma 6-lobed, head-like.

Fruit

Capsule, spherical, somewhat fleshy; seeds numerous, pear- or egg-shaped, 1/8 to 1/6 inch long, greenish-brown, wrinkled.

Ecology

Habitat

Moist deciduous woods, stream banks, bases of bluffs; rich soil.

Distribution

East 1/7 of Kansas

Practical Information

Toxicity

When handled, the leaves may cause a dermatitis reaction in some people.

Uses

Native Americans used wild ginger medicinally in a variety of ways. The roots were steeped and used to treat colds, coughs, fevers, asthma, convulsions, measles, typhoid fever and as a stimulant. Cooked root was placed in the ear to alleviate earaches. The roots were also chewed to stimulate the appetite. Fresh leaves were applied to wounds and dried leaves used as snuff. The roots were cooked with meat or fish to enhance palatability. Dried roots were sometimes used as a substitute for ginger.

Additional Notes