Bloomipedia
Variable-leaf heartleaf (Asarum heterophyllum)
Photo: Sean Feirstein via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Variable-leaf heartleaf

Asarum heterophyllum

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
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 #87 among the 111 flowers on our South Carolina list. iNaturalist

Variable-leaf heartleaf gift ideas

Handmade variable-leaf heartleaf gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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    Variable-leaf heartleaf art print

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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.

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.

More South Carolina flowers

Little brown jugs (Asarum arifolium)

Little brown jugs

Asarum arifolium

Native

🌼 Blooms in SC: March–May
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

American beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Native

🌼 Blooms in SC: June–July
American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

American pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

Native

🌼 Blooms in SC: April–September

Sources