Long-tailed Ginger leaves

Long-tailed ginger (Asarum caudatum) of the Birthwort Family (Aristolochiaceae) has been planted in the Lewis & Clark Native Plant Garden of Boise's Idaho Botanical Garden, displaying plants described or collected by the Lewis & Clark expedition. Long-tailed ginger was described by Lewis on June 16, 1806, near Hungery Creek in present-day Idaho:

"Pott's legg which has been much swolen and inflamed for several days is much better this evening and gives him but little pain. We applied the pounded roots and leaves of the wild ginger, from which we found great relief."

Tea made from the roots was sipped for stomach pains by some Native Americans.

Long-tailed Ginger in Detail
Asarum caudatum: distribution, occurrence, fire ecology and more
USDA plant profile: Asarum caudatum Lindl.