Upright wild ginger

Upright Wild Ginger

Scientific Name
Saruma henryi
Order
Piperales
Family
Aristolochiaceae
Type
Perennial
Endangered Status
Endangered
Number of Recorded Individuals at the Zoo
7

Upright wild ginger’s round, heart-shaped leaves appear in the spring and resemble the foliage of the native ginger Asarum canadense. Its yellow flowers feature three petals each and bloom in mid spring. Native to China’s woodlands, valleys, and riverbanks, the upright wild ginger prefers rich, moist, and well-drained soil in partial to full shade. This perennial is at its best when planted in large groups in shady woodlands and naturalized areas.

Native Range
Central China
USDA Hardiness Zone
5–8
Average Mature Height
2 feet
Flower Color
Yellow
Flowering Months
April–May

Second Saturday Garden Tours

Join fellow nature lovers for a free, guided tour of Lincoln Park Zoo’s diverse plant life and ecosystems. During each tour, a zoo horticulturist will point out interesting species in bloom, answer questions from guests, and discuss the horticulture program’s past, present, and future.

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Closeup of leaves on a tree

An Accredited Arboretum

In 2019, Lincoln Park Zoo earned Level II arboretum accreditation in recognition of the Horticulture staff’s ongoing effort to identify, label, and monitor the more than 330 species of trees, shrubs, and woody plants represented across the 49-acre park.

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