Asarum hartwegii
Hartweg's wild ginger
(c) My-Lan Le, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by My-Lan Le · licence
Family: Aristolochiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Asarum hartwegii (Hartweg's wild ginger) is a native California herb in the Aristolochiaceae family, recognized by white leaf veining and clumped growth habit.
Hartweg's wild ginger is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada in dry rocky slopes within open forest at elevations of 150 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces maroon flowers with white-striped tubes and distinctive curved hairs along the calyx lobes. Growing in densely clumped formations with deep, nearly vertical rhizomes, it spreads in compact clusters across rocky terrain. Its leaves are particularly distinctive, featuring white markings along the major veins with leaf margins adorned by curved hairs pointing toward the leaf tip. The plant's unusual flower structure includes a white tube with red stripes, covered in delicate white hairs and maroon lobes that spread open from the central tube.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by white leaf veining and clumped growth habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry rocky slopes in open forest
Elevation: 150-2200 m
California counties: Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Plumas, Humboldt, Calaveras, Placer, Sierra, Nevada, Yuba, Del Norte, Sacramento, Kern
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Asarum hartwegii blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Viola: Asarum flowers are dark cup-shaped jugs hidden under leaves; violet flowers are raised on stalks with distinct petals.; vs Hedera: Asarum has heart-shaped leaves flat on ground with hidden flowers; ivy has lobed leaves climbing upward.; vs Maianthemum: Asarum has large heart-shaped leaves with single hidden flowers; false Solomon's seal has smaller alternate leaves and white flower clusters.; vs Cyclamen: Asarum flowers are dark cups hidden under leaves; cyclamen flowers are bright pink/white with swept-back petals on tall stalks.; vs Cardamine: Asarum has large heart-shaped leaves with dark hidden flowers; bittercress has compound leaves and white/pink flowers on upright stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Asarum hartwegii native to California?
Yes. Asarum hartwegii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Asarum hartwegii bloom?
Asarum hartwegii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Asarum hartwegii grow?
Asarum hartwegii occurs in Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Shasta, Siskiyou and other counties, at elevations of 150-2200 m.
What plant family does Asarum hartwegii belong to?
Asarum hartwegii is in the Aristolochiaceae family, genus Asarum.
What habitat does Asarum hartwegii grow in?
Asarum hartwegii grows in dry rocky slopes in open forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.