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Native Plant Database

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Aralia racemosa (American spikenard)
Bruso, George H.

Aralia racemosa L.

American spikenard

Araliaceae (Ginseng Family)

USDA Symbol: arra

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The large, tapered flower clusters of this 2-5 ft. perennial are made up of many tiny white flowers, each with a tinge of yellow or green. They grow upright above large compound foliage on heavy, leafy stems. Purple-red berries are showy in fall. Spikenard lacks spines and has numerous flower umbels in large clusters.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Leaf Base: Oblique
Flower:
Fruit: Purple
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , CO , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , PE , QC
Native Distribution: N.B. to Man., s. to GA, n. AR & n.e. KS
Native Habitat: Woodland
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rich soil.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Divide old rootstocks when the plants go dormant in the fall. Plants may be slow to bloom after being disturbed. Propagation may be possible by seed.
Seed Collection: Seeds can be recovered fro the fruit by maceration and flotation.
Seed Treatment: Seeds may require cool-moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA
Prairie Nursery - Westfield, WI

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Aralia racemosa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Aralia racemosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Aralia racemosa

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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