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Asarum canadense

American Wild Ginger · Canada Snakeroot · Canada Wild Ginger · Canadian Wildginger

Family AristolochiaceaeGenus Asarum

Broad heart-shaped leaves with deep veins, spread flat over leaf litter, with one dark red bud at ground level.
LeafEarthdirt Please attribute work to: Chris S. PackardCC BY 2.5

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Ground Cover, Herbaceous PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennial or rhizomatous geophytePlants of the World Online
Height
0.5-1 ft15-30 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
4-6 in10-15 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Brown/Copper, Purple/LavenderExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
4-6Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Dappled Sunlight; Deep shade; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
High Organic Matter, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 23, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 22, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 14 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 2 weeks.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 3 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 91 days.

53% germination in 70–91 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Asarum p. 102Public domain
Show the original text
Asarum (Aristolochiaceae). The two species had large numbers of empty seed coats. The tips of the radicles tended to die in the seedlings which led to death of the seedling. For the moment it is recommended to transfer the germinated seedlings immediately to media and place outdoors. GA-3 needs to be tried. A. canadensis seed was collected in June and WC for 2 w. The long WC treatment is essential and seeds not WC failed to germinate. After the WC each seed was gently squeezed and 50% found to be empty seed coats. These were discarded. Fresh WC seed put outdoors in June germ. 48% in October suggesting that oscillating temperature were required. Seed sown at 40 germ. 40(2%)-70(53% in 10-13 w), note • ¶4 'HJq'C 4 if ' It 103 - - the long induction time at 70. Seed sown at 70 germ. 70-40(19% in 3rd w). To add to the confusion, the same seed sown in 70L failed to germinate and all rotted. All DS seed rotted and was dead so at least that point is settled. •
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Asarum p. 102. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 1, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 14 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 2 weeks.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 3 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 21 days.

19% germination in 21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Asarum p. 102Public domain
Show the original text
Asarum (Aristolochiaceae). The two species had large numbers of empty seed coats. The tips of the radicles tended to die in the seedlings which led to death of the seedling. For the moment it is recommended to transfer the germinated seedlings immediately to media and place outdoors. GA-3 needs to be tried. A. canadensis seed was collected in June and WC for 2 w. The long WC treatment is essential and seeds not WC failed to germinate. After the WC each seed was gently squeezed and 50% found to be empty seed coats. These were discarded. Fresh WC seed put outdoors in June germ. 48% in October suggesting that oscillating temperature were required. Seed sown at 40 germ. 40(2%)-70(53% in 10-13 w), note • ¶4 'HJq'C 4 if ' It 103 - - the long induction time at 70. Seed sown at 70 germ. 70-40(19% in 3rd w). To add to the confusion, the same seed sown in 70L failed to germinate and all rotted. All DS seed rotted and was dead so at least that point is settled. •
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Asarum p. 102. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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