Snake Root (Asarum canadense)

Family: Aristolochiaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Bloom Color: Brown, Purple. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

pungent, aromatic smell like mild pepper and ginger mixed, but more strongly aromatic. — The underground stem and the flowers are used as a ginger substitute.; The root, especially when quite dry, has a pungent, aromatic smell like mild pepper and ginger mixed, but more strongly aromatic.; The root is best harvested in autumn but is available all year round.; It can be dried for later use.

Habitat & North American Range

Moist rich soils in woodlands, usually on calcareous soils. Understorey of deciduous (rarely coniferous) forests from sea level to 1300 metres. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)