Wild-ginger | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Pipevine
Family (botanic) Aristolochiaceae
Tree or plant type Ground cover, Perennial
Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
Size range Low-growing plant (under 6 inches)
Light exposure Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago)
Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Wet sites
Season of interest early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous, Other
Shape or form Creeping
Growth rate Moderate

Size and Method of spreading:

Wild-ginger is a relatively short plant, usually staying under 6 to 8 inches high. It is a colonizing ground cover. Colonizing ground covers produce underground stems that spread out horizontally and shallowly, produce roots and then send up new shoots. These plants are strong growers and may have the potential to grow aggressively.

Native geographic location and habitat:

Native to the Chicago region and Illinois. Common in moist to slightly dry wooded areas. C-Value: 7

Leaf description:

The leaves arise from the base of the plant (basal). They are heart-shaped with entire margins. Both the leaves and leafstalks are pubescent (hairy).

Flower description:

Flowers of wild-ginger are often overlooked as they are held below the foliage and are brownish-purple in color. The small flowers are produced in spring and have three triangular sepals that curl backward.