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Collector's item

Aralia nudicaulis - Japanese Spikenard

Aralia nudicaulis
Wild Sarsaparilla, False Sarsaparilla, Shot Bush, Small Spikenard, Rabbit Root

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More information

A perennial, rhizomatous and medicinal aralia, widespread in the undergrowth of North America, especially in Quebec. In spring this very hardy plant produces a single leaf cut into leaflets of a glossy dark green, and a separate leafless stem adorned with clusters of small flowers of a white-greenish colour in May-June. It will thrive in light undergrowth, in an acidic and well-drained soil but not too dry, including under large trees where it forms a non-invasive ground cover.
Flower size
5 cm
Height at maturity
60 cm
Spread at maturity
30 cm
Exposure
Partial shade, Shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time May to June
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Description

Aralia nudicaulis, also known as bare-stemmed Aralia, is a perennial cousin of the large shrubby Aralias, known in North America for its medicinal properties. It is a rhizomatous plant with a more modest appearance but valuable for vegetating the understory where it spreads without ever becoming invasive. It has excellent hardiness, elegant foliage with dark glossy green compound leaflets, and charming spring flowering with small white-greenish flowers followed by decorative blue-black fruits. It will happily grow in an acidic and well-drained but not too dry soil, including under large trees.  

Aralia nudicaulis, from the Araliaceae family, is sometimes called wild sarsaparilla or Quebec sarsaparilla, where its roots have been used in herbal medicine as a substitute for European sarsaparillas of the Smilax genus. This species, native to the woodlands of northern and northwestern North America, is a perennial plant with an underground rhizome that emerges from the ground in spring and goes dormant underground in winter. It prefers the acidic humus of the understory and tolerates dry periods in summer quite well.

This aralia produces a single leaf in spring, carried by its own stem, reaching a height of 50-60 cm (19.7 - 23.6 in). It is divided into 3 groups of 3, 5, or 7 ovate leaflets with pointed tips and finely toothed edges. The colour of this foliage is initially tinged with dark red, then turns to dark glossy green at maturity. Flowering takes place in May-June. From the rhizome emerges a floral stem 30 to 40 cm (11.8 - 15.7 in) tall and devoid of leaves, usually bearing 3 inflorescences in the form of 5 cm (2 in) balls composed of small white-greenish flowers. This flowering is often hidden by the taller leaf. The flowers are followed by small green fruits that turn blueish-black when ripe in July. Although edible, these fruits have a resinous and unpleasant taste.

This is a botanical curiosity that will find its place in a clear understory or exposed to the morning sun. Once established, this aralia requires no maintenance and spreads as a ground cover. It can be combined with e.g. Solomon's Seal, Asarum, lily of the valley, liriopes, and other periwinkles to vegetate the soil under trees and conifers, which is often difficult to landscape.

 

Aralia nudicaulis - Japanese Spikenard in pictures

Aralia nudicaulis - Japanese Spikenard (Flowering) Flowering
Aralia nudicaulis - Japanese Spikenard (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 60 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time May to June
Inflorescence Cyme
Flower size 5 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Fruit colour black

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Aralia

Species

nudicaulis

Family

Araliaceae

Other common names

Wild Sarsaparilla, False Sarsaparilla, Shot Bush, Small Spikenard, Rabbit Root

Origin

North America

Product reference871281

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Planting and care

Aralia nudicaulis is a very hardy perennial that thrives in partial shade or light shade. It requires an acidic and humus-rich soil, prefers soils that remain moist but can withstand dry periods in summer once established. This rhizomatous plant spreads through its rootstock, without being invasive. It will thrive in the understory, particularly under a mix of deciduous trees and conifers. This plant has few enemies in our gardens.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Partial shade, Shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Humus-rich, well-drained, not too dry.

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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