Day 250: Perhaps my favourite blossom from the wealth of wildflowers growing in Mount Rainier National Park, Wild Ginger's inflorescence is not easy to spot. Its heart-shaped leaves form a roof above the flowers, hiding them from the eye-line of the casual observer. I had searched for them for many years, walking right past until one day, I happened across a colony on an incline six feet above trail level. "Wild Ginger!" I shouted to the general environment, and from that day forth (now that I knew what to look for), I began seeing the leaves of plant in more and more places even after the blossoms had faded.
The name "Wild Ginger" is misleading. Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum) is not related to true ginger (Zingiber officinale). The unfortunate nomenclature invariably leads to a pet-peeve question from visitors: "Is it edible?" Its common name derives from the lemony-gingery scent of the crushed leaves and/or roots. It should not be consumed because it contains potential carcinogens and other toxins which may harm the kidneys. You have grocery stores, people. Some of them even specialize in "natural" foods as good as any you'll find in the wild. You don't need to eat a wildflower or fungus just because it's there.
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