Habitat and Range
Two species of Wild-Ginger inhabit the Sierra Nevada. A. hartwegii grows in shady woods between 2500 ft and 7000 ft, and can be found from Tulare County north. A. lemmonii tends to inhabit wet places from Tulare Co. to Plumas Co. at elevations ranging from 3600 ft to 6000 ft.
Physical Description
Wild-Ginger is characterized by its cordate (heart-shaped) leaf that grows from a gingery-aromatic rhizome, or underground stem. The basal leaf can be 4 inches across. It has a single terminal flower with 3 sepals and it grows inconspicuously close to the ground. The leaves of A. hartwegii have a mottled appearance due to the whitish veins that show through on the upper side. They grow in clumps and have rhizomes that are deeply buried. On the other hand, A. lemmonii has dark-green leaves uniform in color with a shallow rhizome.
Food Uses
As you might have guessed, the Wild-Ginger root (rhizome) can be used in the same ways as cultivated ginger. The taste is mild, but pleasing none the less. Boil the root with other foods to enhance their flavor. Ginger root also makes a great candy. You can make it by boiling the root until it is tender and then dicing it into smaller candy-size pieces which you simmer in a thick syrup. Ginger root can also be dried for later use.
Medicinal Uses
Ginger root is a proven remedy and preventative medicine for stomach ailments. You should take this wild herbal remedy seriously, because it can do you a lot of good.
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