Asarum acuminatum (Ashe) E.P. Bicknell

Asarum acuminatum (Ashe) E.P. Bicknell View in CoL [ Aristolochiaceae ] Hydra-Flower Wild-Ginger

This collection marks the first report for Alabama of this taxon, formerly often only recognized at the varietal level of or under synonymy with A. canadense L. ( Ashe 1897; Whittemore et al. 1997; Weakley & Southeastern Flora Team 2023). The next closest observation known for Hydra-Flower Wild-Ginger is from approximately 70 miles (113km) to the north, near Smithville, Tennessee [DeKalb Co., 28 Apr 1992, Kral 80256 (APSC)]. Hydra-Flower Wild-Ginger’s distribution is unclear at present due to only recent widespread recognition, though it appears it is predominantly west of the Blue Ridge Mountains ( Estes 2015; Weakley & Southeastern Flora Team 2023). This station in the southern Cumberland Plateau may represent a southerly distribution limit for the species.

Asarum acuminatum View in CoL is distinct from A. canadense View in CoL by its spreading, long-caudate erect calyx lobes and overall larger calyx tube (see Fig. 23 View FIG ); additionally, its calyx lobes are ascending to antrorse at floral maturity compared to Canadian Wild-Ginger’s retrorse calyx lobes at floral maturity ( Estes 2015). Ashe (1897) originally described the taxon as a variety of A. canadense View in CoL based on these floral characters, as well as its seemingly more membranous, densely pubescent leaves ( Kelly 2001). The leaf shape is diagnostic for this taxon later in the growing season; A. acuminatum View in CoL possesses leaves that are approximately as wide as long, whereas A. canadense View in CoL has leaves that are wider than their length at maturity (D. Estes, pers. comm.). Additionally, distributions of A. acuminatum View in CoL and A. canadense View in CoL are unclear because they were previously considered conspecific with the similar but distinct and southerly Asarum reflexum E.P. Bicknell. View in CoL The Spaulding et al. (2019) treatment of the genus for Alabama concluded that A. canadense View in CoL s.s. is currently restricted to Jackson County, which is similar to the range of A. acuminatum View in CoL in the state. While A. acuminatum View in CoL and A. canadense View in CoL both possess larger, spreading calyx lobes that taper to acuminate or revolute tips, respectively ( Estes 2015; Weakley & Southeastern Flora Team 2023), A. reflexum View in CoL , the most common species of deciduous ginger in the state, possesses calyx lobes that are shorter than those of the former two species, gradually taper to an acute and flattened tip, and are sharply reflexed and remain spread at anthesis ( Keener et al. 2023).

Voucher Specimen: ALABAMA. Jackson Co.: uncommon on NE-facing limestone talus slopes on The Nature Conservancy of Alabama ( TNC)/ Paint Rock Forest Research Center property in well-drained soils within seasonal limestone talus wash channels; calyx lobes long tapered and spreading, 18 Apr2021, Noah D. Yawn 151, & Alan Cressler, Bill Finch, and Beth Maynor Finch ( ALNHS 7860 View Materials ). STATE RECORD .