Hexastylis arifolia (Michx.) Small - Heart Leaf, Wild Ginger
Family - Aristolochiaceae
Stems:
N/A
Leaves:
N/A
Inflorescence:
Flowers:
Young flowers.
Flowering - February - May.
Habitat - Deciduous or pine woods, swamp forests, rich woods, hammocks, bluffs.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This interesting plant can be found essentially throughout Alabama but may be uncommon or absent in the extreme north-west corner of the state. The plant can be identified by its big, sagittate leaves and its urceolate flowers. The flowers arise from the base of the plant and are typically covered by leaf litter.
The genus name is derived from the Greek "hex(a)" meaning "six" and "styl", referring to the typically six stigmas(styles) of the plant.
The species epithet "arifolia refers to the leaves resembling those of the genus Arum and most of the aroids.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken somewhere in North Carolina, 3-23-03.