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Vick, Albert F. W.

Hexastylis shuttleworthii var. shuttleworthii

Hexastylis shuttleworthii (Britten & Baker f.) Small var. shuttleworthii

Largeflower Heartleaf

Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort Family)

Synonym(s): Asarum shuttleworthii

USDA Symbol: HESHS

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A low, evergreen herb, 3-4 in., with mottled, rounded-cordate leaves; the old leaves persistent. The solitary reddish purple-brown flowers are thick and fleshy, hidden under the leaves.

Some natural populations of this attractive ginger have short rhizomes and tend to form clumps, while others have long, creeping rhizomes and tend to spread. The latter make better ground covers.

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Margin: Entire
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Purple , Brown
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , GA , NC , SC , TN , VA
Native Distribution: W. VA, s. along mts. to GA & AL
Native Habitat: Rich, moist, upland woods & ravines

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, fertile, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Slow to establish, but considered one of the more attractive gingers. Some natural populations have short rhizomes and tend to form clumps, while others have long, creeping rhizomes and tend to spread. The latter make better ground covers.

Propagation

Description: Increase by division.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-14
Research By: TWC Staff

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