Wild Ginger is a low, spreading ground cover of eastern hardwood forests, with heart-shaped leaves and a hidden brownish-red flower near the soil surface in spring. The aromatic roots smell and taste like culinary ginger, though the plants are not related. Ants disperse its seeds via elaiosomes, and the flowers are pollinated by fungus gnats.
Habitat
Rich moist hardwood forest understory, often on north-facing slopes
Diet
Seeds dispersed by ants; flowers pollinated by fungus gnats and flies
How common
Common
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