Asarum lemmonii
Lemmon's wild ginger
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Aristolochiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Asarum lemmonii (Lemmon's wild ginger) is a native California herb in the Aristolochiaceae family, recognized by short, strongly reflexed calyx lobes and reflexed peduncles.
Lemmon's wild ginger is a California native perennial found in southern Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada Foothills in Powellton, Butte County, inhabiting shady wet places at elevations of 1,000 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces red flowers with white inner tube, the calyx lobes 0.8 to 1.5 centimeters long and strongly reflexed during flowering. Growing in loose spreading mats with horizontal rhizomes near the soil surface, it forms a low, interconnected ground cover. Its leaves are uniformly green, forming a backdrop to the distinctive reflexed flower peduncles. The plant spreads through its near-surface rhizomes, creating gentle, interconnected patches in its shaded, moist habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by short, strongly reflexed calyx lobes and reflexed peduncles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shady wet places
Elevation: 1000-1900 m
California counties: Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Plumas, Humboldt, Nevada, Placer, Tulare, Tuolumne, Sierra, Shasta, Butte, Lassen
Bloom period
Asarum lemmonii blooms May-Sep.
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 lemmonii native to California?
Yes. Asarum lemmonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Asarum lemmonii bloom?
Asarum lemmonii blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Asarum lemmonii grow?
Asarum lemmonii occurs in Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Plumas, Humboldt, Nevada and other counties, at elevations of 1000-1900 m.
What plant family does Asarum lemmonii belong to?
Asarum lemmonii is in the Aristolochiaceae family, genus Asarum.
What habitat does Asarum lemmonii grow in?
Asarum lemmonii grows in Shady wet places.
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.