Saruma Henryi

Endemic to China this rare plant is on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This unlikely but gorgeous relative of asarum, or wild ginger, grows in dense forests, valleys, and stream banks, at 600-1000 meters where it bears heart-shaped, woolly, felted leaves and bright yellow flowers in April-May, and is a must for the woodland garden where it will spread if happy. It was named after Augustine Henry, an Irish physician, who collected intensively in China for the Royal Botanic Garden Kew. Very few seeds collected.