Heartleaf

Hexastylis virginica
Birthwort Family

Heartleaf (one of the Wild Gingers) has rounded evergreen leaves with a brownish-red, cylindrical flower tube appearing below the leaf litter in spring, notice in the lower right of the photo. These and other similar species, distinguished by differing flower tubes, are pollinated by crawling insects. Don't forget to cover over the flower afterwards! --photo Green River Cove in Polk Cnty April 6, '03.

Wildflowers of the Southern Appalachian Mountains -- Home Page