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Native Plant Database

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Hexastylis arifolia (Littlebrownjug)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Hexastylis arifolia (Michx.) Small

Littlebrownjug, Heartleaf, Evergreen wild ginger

Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort Family)

Synonyms: Asarum arifolium

USDA Symbol: HEAR6

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The attractive, heart-shaped leaves of this wild ginger are pale, whitish green with dark green veins and margins, the opposite of its close relative, Hexastylis shuttleworthii, which has dark green leaves and whitish green venation. The leaves are up to 8 inches long and held no more than 4 inches off the ground. The common name Heartleaf refers to their shape, while the common name Littlebrownjug refers to the unusual flowers. The plants are slow-growing and remain in isolated clusters, not forming a mat. They make beautiful, jewel-like additions to the Southeastern woodland garden when scattered among other well-mannered, herb layer forest plants.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Cordate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Texture: Smooth
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Size Notes: 2 to 4 inches high
Leaf: Whitish green with dark green veins and margins
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple , Brown
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Purplish brown, inconspicuous

Distribution

USA: AL , FL , GA , KY , LA , MS , NC , SC , TN , VA
Native Distribution: Southeastern North America, Zones 6 to 8
Native Habitat: Southeastern forests, dry to moist
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low , Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Rich, acidic, moist or dry soils of pH 5 to 6

Benefit

Use Ornamental: A good evergreen herb-layer plant for foliage interest in the Southeastern shade garden or woodland landscape.
Use Wildlife: Winter browse
Use Food: Roots used as flavoring by indigenous people.
Use Medicinal: Root extracts and leaf infusions used by indigenous people to treat heart and lung conditions and stomach pain.
Interesting Foliage: yes

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 1232 - Native American Ethnobotany (1998) Moerman, Daniel E.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Hexastylis arifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Hexastylis arifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hexastylis arifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-11-23
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