Asarum caudatum – Wild Ginger
Go ahead, picture a pollinator. How many of you came up with Fungus Gnats? Really? No one? (okay, I can imagine the hand of an ecologist darting up. (I see you!)
I am one of those people who notice the small, the patterns and rhythms of quiet slow places. If you are like me, shade gardens just might be your jam. If you spend time in a shade garden—really looking—you’ll start to notice those teeeeeeny tiny flies. Those wee critters are doing some serious ecological work.
Western Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum) rely on these little wonders for pollination. Other then the Fungus Gnat (seriously, who is in charge of their marketing team?) There are many native flies who are doing the heavy lifting in those damp cool shady spots and the larvae break down organic matter. Win win.
A fun fact is that wild gingers in Canada or Europe mostly rely on self-pollination. It is more unique to the western states in that wild ginger is pollinated when small flies or gnats mate and lay eggs on the flower, inadvertently transferring pollen to the next flower.
Tiny native flies don’t get much credit, but they’re some of the most reliable pollinators in shade gardens. They work in cool weather, low light, and early seasons—quietly moving pollen while we’re busy looking for show stopping butterflies and bees. Shade gardens just have a less showy crew.
Sources:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2418323
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/asarum_canadense.shtml