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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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: 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 , BrownBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AL , GA , NC , SC , TN , VANative Distribution: W. VA, s. along mts. to GA & AL
Native Habitat: Rich, moist, upland woods & ravines
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: ShadeSoil 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 PlantsFNA: Find Hexastylis shuttleworthii var. shuttleworthii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hexastylis shuttleworthii var. shuttleworthii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-14Research By: TWC Staff