Asarum canadense -L.-
wild ginger


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Asarum canadense -L.-

Common Name: wild ginger

Myaamia Name:

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Spring

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Oak Forest including Oak-Hickory, Beech-Oak-Maple Mixed Mesophytic, Dry Prairie grasslands, Conifer Shrubland and Forest

Uses: Food, Medicinal

Locations: Undetermined

Media

Sources

Anonymous 1724

Reference Type: Use - Medicinal

Archival Data:

"The root of ginger crushed in powder for putting a stop to the pains of a woman in childbirth" ("De la Racine de Gingembre pile en poudre pour Empecher le Cranchez a un femme dans l'enfantement").

Comments: The author is describing tribal customs from the upper Midwest, probably including some of the Miami-Illinois tribal groups. – Michael Gonella

Olds, J., Olds, D. and D. Tippman 1999

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Wild ginger is used for seasoning.

Comments: N/A

Gonella, M.P 2003-2006

Reference Type: Use - Food/Medicinal

Archival Data:

"Roots are harvested, ground and used as a spice or chewed to alleviate motion sickness. You can cook roots with honey to make candy. Thick and fine roots all have good taste and scent. You can dry and store in frig." "I usually get most of mine in the fall, but I have harvested it whenever I need it. I wash it and then dry it. I wait to grate it until it is needed to flavor foods. I have also candied it. I simmer it in maple syrup until it is pliable. We have done it in white sugar too, I like the maple syrup better. We have done it in honey too. You just add it to the sweet liquid and add a little water, then simmer it until the ginger is pliable. The candied ginger is the best for upset tummies and sweet tooths!". "Roots don't get much bigger than about 1/4" diameter".

Comments: N/A

Gleason, H.A. and Cronquist, A. 1991

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Occurs in rich woods, in colonies, in eastern and western Myaamia lands.

Comments: N/A

No sources entered.

Legends

  • L.: L. stands for Carl Linneaus, a Swedish botanist and zoologist living from 1707 - 1778, who formed the binomial nomenclature system for scientific naming of species (the two part name). His initial after a scientific name indicates he was the authority for that species name.
  • sp.: Indicates the actual species name cannot or need not be specified. Example: Lilium sp. indicates a single species in the genus Lilium that is not known or does not need to be specified.
  • spp.: (plural) indicates "several species", two or more species of the given genus. Example: Lilium spp. indicates 2 or more species in the genus that cannot or do not need to be distinguished.
  • Use - Unknown: A record for this plant exists but does not include explicit information about the plant's cultural use. It is probable the Myaamia used the plant.
  • Botanical Sources: Sources of any botanical data for this plant species that is not related to its cultural use or significance.
  • Related Sources: Data indirectly related to Myaamia ethnobotany, including non-Myaamia uses of the plant in contemporary and historic times.
  • Myaamia Archival Sources: All records of plant use obtained directly from a Myaamia tribal member in an interview, recorded by a second party or by self-recording.
  • Undetermined (Plant Use): There exists use or other information about a certain, unknown plant species, but the specific species has not yet been determined.
  • Medicinal: For the purposes of this database, medicinal uses of plants and medicinal knowledge are defined as: Commonly held communal knowledge regarding the use of plant-based substances that aid in maintaining a healthy mind, body or spirit, including tonics and teas.
  • Technology: For the purposes of this database, technological uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in the making of food processing, canoes, rafts, dyes, tools, utensils, weapons, hunting and fishing gear (i.e. net, weir, etc.), cordage, string, rope, fodder plant species, firewood, any plants used in trade, etc.
  • Material: For the purposes of this database, material uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in construction of dwellings (floor mats, roofing, side walls), furniture, baskets, storage items, musical instruments, games, crafts, jewelry, cordage used in crafts, etc.
  • Food: For the purposes of this database, food uses of plants are defined as: Plants used as consumed food, spices and seasonings, but not teas or tonics.
  • Customs: For the purposes of this database, customary uses of plants are defined as: Plants involved in a customary ceremony, ritual or traditional event, including ritual smoking, chewing tobacco, war rituals, special mats used to sit on during ceremonies. Customary uses of plants, in this database, does not including plants used for recreation (material), structures where ceremonies take place (material) or medicinal smoking (medicinal).
  • Eastern Myaamia Lands: Eastern Myaamia lands (eastern myaamionki) are centered around northern Indiana, and including western Ohio, eastern Illinois, southern Michigan, and the northernmost portions of Kentucky.
  • Western Myaamia Lands: Western Myaamia lands (western myaamionki) include western Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma.