Asarum caulescens

Asarum caulescens (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Dappled shade to shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 15cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Aristolochiaceae

Asarum caulescens is a low growing deciduous herbaceous perennial with a spreading habit. Its dark green glossy leaves are kidney shaped with entire margins, up to 9cm long and 10cm broad. Its pink/ brown flowers are up to 1.3cm across and appear below the canopy of leaves. Its roots are stoloniferous rhizomes which aids its spread.

Asarum caulescens Leaf (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Asarum caulescens, commonly known as Wild Ginger, is native to central and north central China and Japan. In its native habitat it grows in mixed forest.

The etymological root of the binomial name Asarum is derived from the Latin asa meaning ‘alter’. Caulescens is derived from the Greek kaulos meaning ‘stem’.

The landscape architect may find Asarum caulescens useful as a tropical looking ground cover plant for shady areas.

Asarum caulescens Flower (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Asarum caulescens is of little value to UK wildlife.

Asarum caulescens  prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Asarum caulescens requires little maintenance.

Saruma henryi

Saruma henryi Flower (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Partial shade to shade

Flowering period: Late spring to summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 90cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Aristolochiaceae

Saruma henryi is a herbaceous perennial herbaceous. Its green leaves are tinged with purple, are cordate with entire margins, are covered in fine hairs, are fragrant when bruised and are up to 15cm long. As with the leaves its stems are pubescent. Its yellow flowers are bowl shaped, have three petals,are up to3cm across, are borne at the tips of upright stems and are held above the leaves. Its fruit is a follicular capsule. The roots of this plant are rhizomes.

Saruma henryi, commonly known as Upright Wild Ginger, is native to much of central China. In its native habitat it grows in dense forests, valleys and on the banks of streams. Saruma henryi is the only species within this genus.

The etymological root of the binomial name Saruma is an Anagram of Asarum canadense (Canada Wild Ginger), with which this plant bares a similarity. Henryi is named after Augustine Henry (1857 – 1930), an Irish plant collector of Chinese plants.

Saruma henryi (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Saruma henryi useful as part of a woodland planting scheme as it is very tolerant of shade.

Ecologically, Saruma henryi is attractive to flies due to the pungent odor. It is also attractive to butterflies and other pollinating insects.

Saruma henryi prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Saruma henryi requires little maintenance.