Wild Ginger
(Asarum canadense)

The Ginger plant has an interesting flower that is completely hidden under the leaves.

Some botanists and entomologists believe the inside of the flower also provides for a place where the early spring flies can “hide out” to avoids cold winds and temperatures.

Native Americans and early Euro-American settlers have used wild ginger as a spice. The root is harvested dried and then ground into a powder. Early settlers also cooked pieces of the root in sugar water for several days to obtain a ginger-flavored, candied root. The left over liquid was then boiled down to syrup that was used on pancakes and other food items.

You should be aware that scientists have determined that the plants may contain poisonous compounds and consumption of the plant is highly discouraged. (from USDA web site)