Asarum canadense (wild ginger)

Wild ginger, not to be confused with the ginger whose rhizome is used in cooking (Zingiber officinale), is one of our more subtle spring ephemerals.  The flowers in this species are produced close to the ground, so you may have to push aside the heart-shaped leaves to find them.  There are some healthy clumps of this species in Petty's Patch, and they are well worth a visit.  

The flowers of Asarum canadense are this brownish-maroon color for a very good reason: the major pollinators of this species are flies.  Flies, as you may well know, are often attracted to decaying flesh, as this provides a perfect breeding ground for their eggs.  Many plant species, including wild ginger, take advantage of the flies' routine by producing flesh-colored flowers (and some even emit a scent reminiscent of rotting meat) to lure in the unsuspecting insects, who then may transport pollen to other flowers.