BIRTHWORT FAMILY. 269 



coarseness of its foliage — the full-grown leaves being a foot in breadth, 

 renders it less beautiful than many others of our native climbers. 



The Canada Snake-root, or Wild Ginger, Asarum Canadense, L,., 

 belongs to this family ; it is common in rich woodlands, and is readily 

 recognized by having a single pair of broad kidney-shaped leaves, and a 

 single large brownish-purple flower borne in the fork of the long peti- 

 oles. The root, or, more properly, root-stock, is highly pungent and 

 aromatic ; it is largely collected to supply the drug trade ; its taste 

 somewhat resembles that of ginger, and it is used as a substitute for it 

 in some parts of the country. * 



Fig. 172. Virginia Snakeroot (Aristolocliia Serpentaria). a. Apod. 



