Species library · Plants & herbs

European Asarabacca: poisonous

Asarum europaeum

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

European Asarabacca is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland.

☠ Poisonous
European Asarabacca (Asarum europaeum)

Photo: (c) Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · iNaturalist

When European Asarabacca appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

European Asarabacca is usually found in Woodland.

Look up European Asarabacca in the app

In the Forage app, European Asarabacca has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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European Asarabacca: common questions

Is European Asarabacca poisonous?

Yes. European Asarabacca is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does European Asarabacca appear?

European Asarabacca usually appears from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does European Asarabacca grow?

European Asarabacca is usually found in Woodland.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits