Purplish or reddish
brown flowers, hidden by the leaves, arise from
the leaf axils. The pointed calyx lobes are up
to ¾ inch long and spreading or reflexed (bent
sharply back around the outside of the calyx).
April-May and
persist for several months.
2 heart-shaped to
kidney-shaped deciduous leaves that can be up to
7 inches wide. The leaves and petioles are
pubescent. Leaves are paired and arise from the
rhizomes on petioles
Wild Ginger and European Evergreen Ginger are not
related to the culinary ginger (Zingiber
officinale) of tropical origin. Their names refer to
the spicy fragrance of the freshly cut or
crushed rhizomes and leaves.
Early settlers were
fond of this plant because it had a flavor
similar to the Old World Ginger. The stems
were dried and pulverized and used for spice, or
sometimes boiled with sugar to make a candied
spice.
