other names- western wild ginger habitat- foothill to upper montane dry slopes in conifer forests range- Cascade, Klamath and Sierra Nevada ranges of California, also located in SW Oregon description- prostrate plant with hairy stems and flowers, prominently white-veined large heart shaped leaves, brown flower with three long petals extending from a red-striped calyx tube, flower at base of plant under leaves etymology- asarum, Gr. derivation unknown applications- Karuk tribes used this plant to make a tea used as a cold remedy. Similar to cultivated ginger, the root of this plant has also been used to treat stomach and intestinal disorders, sore throat and earaches.

CAUTION: Plants of this genus contain varying amounts of terpenes and aristolochic acid. Consult an expert before ingesting this or any other wild plant.