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Vick, Albert F. W.

Aralia racemosa

Aralia racemosa L.

American Spikenard

Araliaceae (Ginseng Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ARRA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

The large, tapered flower clusters of this 2-6 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

8 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Leaf Base: Oblique
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Fruit: Purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

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

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rich soil.

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

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU		FAC		FACU	FACU		FACU	FACU	FAC

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 26 - Minnesota Wildflowers: a field guide to the flora of Minnesota (2009)
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

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: 2022-11-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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