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''Asarum'' is a genus of plants in the birthwort family Aristolochiaceae, commonly known as wild ginger. ''Asarum'' is the genitive plural of the Latin ''āsa'' (an alternate form of ''āra'') meaning altar or sanctuary. == Description == Asarum is a genus of low-growing herbs distributed across the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere, with most species in East Asia (China, Japan and Vietnam) and North America, and one species in Europe. Biogeographically, ''Asarum'' originated in Asia They have characteristic kidney-shaped leaves, growing from creeping rhizomes, and bear small, axillary brown or reddish flowers. The plant is called wild ginger because the rhizome tastes and smells similar to ginger root, but the two are not particularly related. However the FDA warns against consuming Asarum, as it is nephrotoxic and contains the potent carcinogen aristolochic acid. 〔(Health Canada advising not to use products labelled to contain Aristolochia ). 〕 The birthwort family also contains the genus ''Aristolochia'', known for carcinogens. Wild ginger favors moist, shaded sites with humus-rich soil. The deciduous, heart-shaped leaves are opposite, and borne from the rhizome which lies just under the soil surface. Two leaves emerge each year from the growing tip. The curious jug-shaped flowers, which give the plant an alternate name, little jug, are borne singly in Spring between the leaf bases. Wild ginger can easily be grown in a shade garden, and makes an attractive groundcover. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Asarum」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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