Flower profile

Variable-leaf heartleaf

Asarum heterophyllum

Variable-leaf heartleaf (Asarum heterophyllum) 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

Variable-leaf heartleaf is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In South Carolina it's most often seen in bloom in February–May.

8states where USDA records it

431SC sightings*

1,387U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: South Carolina

Quick look

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 8 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
In South Carolina, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in February–May. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 431 research-grade sightings of it in South Carolina, ranking #91 among the 171 flowers on our South Carolina list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In South Carolina, most flowering sightings come in February–May.

Flowering records by month in South Carolina (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (99 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
South Carolina: No list South Carolina has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's South Carolina ranks instead.

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

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 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 variable-leaf heartleaf in 8 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia.

South Carolina counties with USDA records: Oconee, Pickens.

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 68 counties across 7 states; the most are in Virginia (33), North Carolina (10), Kentucky (9).

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

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

More South Carolina flowers

Little brown jugs

Asarum arifolium

Native

🌼 Blooms in SC: March–May

American beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Native

🌼 Blooms in SC: June–July

American holly

Ilex opaca

🌷 Flowering tree

🌷 Grown in South Carolina gardens

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile HEHE12.
iNaturalist, Asarum heterophyllum: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
South Carolina: South Carolina State Plant Pest List, plants (S.C. Code Regs. 27-135; Clemson Dept. of Plant Industry).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
Photo: Sean Feirstein via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.