Bloomipedia
Little heartleaf (Asarum minus)
Photo: Michael J. Papay via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Little heartleaf

Asarum minus

Little heartleaf (Asarum minus) is a flowering plant in the Aristolochiaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly March–May across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Little heartleaf is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In North Carolina it's most often seen in bloom in March–May.

3states where USDA records it
1,946NC sightings*
2,242U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: North Carolina

Quick look

Asarum minus, the little heartleaf or little brown jug, is a species of flowering plant in the Aristolochiaceae family. It is native to the southeast United States.

  • It belongs to the Aristolochiaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 3 states. USDA PLANTS
  • In North Carolina, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–May. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,946 research-grade sightings of it in North Carolina, ranking #93 among the 192 flowers on our North Carolina list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In North Carolina, most flowering sightings come in March–May.

Flowering records by month in North Carolina (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (131 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe
Unknown We couldn't find this name in NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe
North Carolina
Not listed Not on North Carolina Protected Plant Species List (02 NCAC 48F .0301). 02 NCAC 48F .0301

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peoplePoisonous to people

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: medium). Poisonous parts: leaves, roots, stems. Symptoms they list: “Aristolochic acid is nephrotoxic and a carcinogen. Do not consume this plant.” NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records little heartleaf in 3 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia.

North Carolina counties with USDA records: Alamance, Catawba, Chatham, Cumberland, Davidson, Durham, Gaston, Granville, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Martin, Moore, Orange, Person, Pitt, Polk, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan, Vance, Wake.

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 32 counties across 3 states; the most are in North Carolina (23), Virginia (6), South Carolina (3).

Other Asarum on Bloomipedia (4): Little brown jugs, Western wild ginger, Reflexed wild ginger, Variable-leaf heartleaf.

More from the Aristolochiaceae family (5 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Southwestern pipevine.

More North Carolina flowers

Little brown jugs (Asarum arifolium)

Little brown jugs

Asarum arifolium

Native

🌼 Blooms in NC: March–May
Crane-fly orchid (Tipularia discolor)

Crane-fly orchid

Tipularia discolor

Native

🌼 Blooms in NC: July–August
American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

American pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

Native

🌼 Blooms in NC: June–September

Sources