Hexastylis virginica
(Asarum virginicum)

Virginia Heartleaf

[ click on any image below to see larger version ]

Family: Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort family)

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: April - June

Virginia Heartleaf gets the second part of its common name because it's leaves look like they have been water-stained. Considerable work and discussion has gone into deciding if Hexastylis (Heartleaf) and Asarum (Wild Ginger) should be considered two separate genera or only one.

Weakley's 2025 Flora of the Southeastern United States¹ differentiates between the two genera by noting that Hexastylis species' leaves are evergreen, glabrous, and not paired, whereas Asarum's leaves are deciduous, pubescent, and paired.

Virginia Heartleaf is classified here in the genus Hexastylis, in keeping with both Weakley's Flora and Flora of Virginia, 2012².

21 June 2014 Ivy Creek Natural Area, Charlottesville, VA	21 June 2014 Ivy Creek Natural Area, Charlottesville, VA	12 May 2021 Quarry Gardens, Schuyler, VA	12 May 2021 Quarry Gardens, Schuyler, VA
10 May 2023 Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve, Lancaster County, VA	10 May 2023 Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve, Lancaster County, VA	10 May 2023 Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve, Lancaster County, VA

References

1:   Flora of the Southeastern United States, 2025 edition, by Alan S. Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team

2:   Weakley, Ludwig, and Townsend. Flora of Virginia. ed. by Crowder. BRIT Press, Fort Worth, Texas, 2012.

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