Taxon

Aralia racemosa

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Common name: American spikenard
Family: Araliaceae (ginseng family)
Distribution: c. and e. North America
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5
Life form: Herbaceous perennial
Comments: A shrubby, soft-stemmed herbaceous perennial related to ginseng. Best sited in moist woods or in moist but well-drained soil but is reputedly quite tolerant. Greenish white, tiny flowers occur in long, upright panicles 12-18" long, in midsummer. Berries mature dark purple in dense clusters attractive to birds. Use as specimen, woodland garden, or in native planting. Stems are black to dark maroon.
Links: Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy) • The Plant List • USDA PLANTS Database - US Department of Agriculture

Locations

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