Saruma henryi

The endangered and nearly extinct Saruma henryi is one of the most unique introductions to come out of China in years. Although discovered by Irish plant explorer Augustine Henry in 1890, it evaded horticultural cultivation until 1992. This rare Aristolochia family member that's cousin to asarum and an anagram of the same, makes a 2' tall x 3' wide clump of upright stalks clothed with 5" wide, fuzzy, light-green, heart-shaped leaves. From early spring through late summer, henry's saruma is topped with 0.75" buttery yellow flowers...a splendid addition to an average/moist site in the woodland garden and a great way to fool the neighborhood gardening know-it-all! Medicinally, it has been used in Chinese medicine to treat stomach ailments. You will see a few self-sown seedlings after the second year.