Spikenard

Aralia racemosa Araliaceae

Other names

American Spikenard, Petty Morel, Life-Of-Man, Sarsaparilla

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region, New Brunsw. to NC, West to AZ & UT, South to Northern Mexico

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Cayuta Lake, Coy Glen, Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve, McLean Bogs, Eames Bog, Ringwood Ponds

Source of plant

Bluebird Nursery Inc., Gardens of the Blue Ridge

Description

Refined, upright brownish stems and greenish-white flower umbels in a large spike, followed bymaroon-black berries. Plants 5' tall, 4' wide.

USDA Hardiness Zone

4

Special characteristics

notable texture, medicinal/pharmaceutical

Status

L4|S5|G5