Common Name:

General Information

Asarum geophilum is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of leaves up to 20cm tall from a creeping rootstock, The rather interesting, but unpleasant-smelling flowers are hidden amongst the leaves[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, S Guizhou)

Habitat

Dense forests, moist valleys; at elevations from 200 - 700 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Self, Flies
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of southern China, where it grows in hardiness zones 9 - 10. It is only likely to succeed outdoors in the milder regions of the Temperate zone.
Plants in this genus generally prefer a rich moist neutral to acid soil in dappled to deep shade in a woodland or in a shady position in the rock garden[, ].
The flowers are malodorous and are mainly self-pollinated but are also pollinated by mycotrophic flies[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used medicinally[]. It is known as tu xi xin[].
In China, species of Asarum that produce pungent aromatic roots are used in traditional medicine as a remedy for pain and colds. Among them. Asarum heterotropoides mandshuricum is considered of the greatest value, although Asarum sieboldii is believed to have been the first species used in ancient Chinesemedicine. All the remaining species, including those utilized in folk medicine, are used for the same or slightly different purposes[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer[]. Stored seed will require 3 weeks cold stratification and should be sown in late winter[]. The seed usually germinates in the spring in 1 - 4 or more weeks at 18°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out when large enough in late spring.
Division in spring or autumn. Plants are slow to increase[]. It is best to pot the divisions up and keep them in light shade in the greenhouse until they are growing away strongly.