Canada wild ginger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canada wild ginger |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Asarum
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| Species: |
canadense
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| Synonyms | |
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A. acuminatum |
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Asarum canadense, also known as Canada wild ginger, is a special plant that grows year after year. It forms thick patches on the forest floor in eastern North America. You can find it from the Great Plains all the way to the Atlantic Coast. It grows from southeastern Canada down to the southeastern United States.
This plant is protected in Maine. It is listed there as a state threatened species. This means it needs help to survive and thrive.
Contents
What Does Canada Wild Ginger Look Like?
Canada wild ginger has unique leaves that are shaped like a kidney. They stay on the plant for a long time.
Underground Stems and Flowers
This plant has special underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes grow close to the surface. They branch out and help the plant form a big clump.
Its flowers bloom from April through June. They are hairy and have three parts that look like petals. These parts are usually tan to purple on the outside. Inside, they are a lighter color. The tips are pointed, and the bases join together to form a cup shape.
Seeds and Ants
After the flowers are pollinated, they grow into a pod. When the pod is ripe, it splits open. Inside are seeds with tiny, yummy parts called elaiosomes. Ants love to eat these elaiosomes. When ants carry the seeds away to eat the elaiosomes, they help spread the seeds around. This way, new Canada wild ginger plants can grow in different places!
Why You Should Not Eat Canada Wild Ginger
Canada wild ginger contains a chemical called aristolochic acid. This chemical can be harmful to people.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned about products that contain aristolochic acid. Eating these products can cause serious kidney damage. Sometimes, this damage is so bad that people need kidney dialysis or even a kidney transplant.
So, even though it's called "wild ginger," it is not safe to eat!
How People Have Used Canada Wild Ginger
Long ago, Native Americans used the long underground stems (rhizomes) of Canada wild ginger as a seasoning. It has a smell and taste similar to true ginger (which is Zingiber officinale).
However, Canada wild ginger should never be used as a substitute for true ginger. This is because it contains the harmful chemical aristolochic acid. It also has another chemical called asarone. We don't know exactly how much of these harmful chemicals are in the plant.
Native Americans also used this plant as a medicinal herb. They used it to help treat different sicknesses. But remember, it's not safe to use today because of the dangerous chemicals it contains.
Images for kids
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A. canadense
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A. canadense foliage
See also
In Spanish: Asarum canadense para niños
