Wild ginger is a member of the birthwort family (Aristolochiaceae). Deep green, hirsute, heart shaped leaves with distinctive, prominent venation, and unique purplish-brown colored flowers, with three long, radiating calyx segments, distinguish the species.
Flowers are produced beneath leaves in spring-summer (April - July), and are often hidden from view. Wild ginger is thought to have antibiotic properties, and Native Americans used this plant to treat headaches, intestinal pain, knee pain, arthritis, indigestion, tuberculosis, colic and as a general tonic.

These plants form an appealing ground cover for shady areas. Small, jug-shaped, brownish flowers hide under a dense carpet of heart-shaped leaves. This species is a native wildflower, easy to grow,and very cold hardy.

Wild Ginger loses its leaves in the winter and spreads at a controllable rate. They reach about 5 inches high.  This is a deer resistent plant.  Slugs find it very inviting.