European Wild Ginger (Asarum europaeum), fam. Aristolochiaceae.
   Grows in quite obscure and shady places of the forest. The young leaves are strikingly beautiful. Actually, this plant is evergreen: in autumn the leaves do not show any aging signs, until they are covered with snow; they die only next spring. Wild ginger is toxic, but also used as a medicinal plant. For example, vomiting properties of its root are utilized in one not very safe method of alcoholism treatment, as well as against poisoning with something more serious, including mushrooms.

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