Family: Birthwort
Season: spring

Last Update: 23Apr99

(May-96; Mom and Dad)

(Mar-99; Buttermilk; emerging in Spring)

23-Apr-98; Upper Buttermilk
(Click to enlarge (215k))

(Apr-99; 6-Mile Gorge; close-up)

click to enlarge (139K)

(Apr-99; 6-Mile Gorge; typically found in groups)

click to enlarge (139K)

Wild Ginger

A common early spring wild flower found along banks in wooded areas. The strange maroon-brown, 3-pointed flower has an inner, divided, white ring. The form is invariant: two upright leaves with the flower in the crotch. Flower is often hidden below the leaves and/or early spring leaf mold. I suspect flower is largely pollenated by crawling insects. The round/heart-shaped, fuzzy leaves are readily identifyable at a distance.