VI: Asarum
How wild ginger dances with flies and ants.
Good morning. Today is sextidi, the 6th of Ventôse, Year CCXXXI. We celebrate l'asaret, a ground cover also known as wild ginger.
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This is not actually related to ginger in any way, but is called "wild ginger" because of the scent and flavor of its rhizomes. Asarum is actually a wide category of ground covers, some of which smell more ginger-y than others, and is itself a part of an even bigger category of plants called birthworts. These plants all grow jug-shaped flowers, which is why they're sometimes called Dutchman's pipes.
Plants are always engaged in a complicated courtship dance with their pollinators and seed carriers. One of the most fascinating things about botany is studying the different evolutionary ways plants have managed to be active participants in nature's dance without ever evolving locomotion or a nervous system. They're like demure coquettes all dressed up and standing in the corner, waiting to be asked to dance.
In asarum's case, they're hoping for the handsome hands of flies and ants.
