Aralia nudicaulis
Encyclopedia
Aralia nudicaulis is a flowering plant of northern and eastern North America which reaches a height of 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) with creeping underground stem
s.
In the spring the underground stems produce compound leaves that are large and finely toothed. Tiny white flowers, typically in three, globe-shaped clusters 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) wide, are produced on tall scape
s that grow about the same height as the leaves. These bloom from May to July and develop into purple-black comestible berries. The leaves go dormant in summer before the fruits ripen. The berries taste a little spicy and sweet.
The slender stem of the plant grows straight up from the ground and divides into a whorl of 3 stems which branch up and out, each forming 3 to 7 (most often 5) pinnately compound
leaflets; leaflets ovate, acute, serrate, green.http://www.permaculture.info/index.php/Aralia_nudicaulis
Technically, all the leaflets on one plant are considered to be one entire leaf
, and the stems that connect the leaflets are called Rachis
; this arrangement is called doubly compound. In some cases some of the leaflets are further completely subdivided, forming a triply compound pattern.
This species is similar to Aralia hispida (Bristly Sarsaparilla) which is a little larger with stems covered with bristly hairs, hence the name. The stems of A. nudicaulis are smooth.
The roots have been used as substitutes for true Sarsaparilla
(Smilax sp.) in herbal medicine.
This plant is so common in certain ecologies that it is an indicator species for these Eastern Forests of North America: Northern Hardwood Forest, Beech-Maple Forest
, and Oak-Hickory Forest.
Because it sometimes grows with groups of 3 leaflets, it can be mistaken for poison ivy
; the way to tell the difference is that Wild Sarsaparilla lacks a woody base and has fine teeth along the edges of the leaves.http://www.naturenorth.com/summer/pivy/pivy2.html
Underground stem
Underground stems are modified plant structures that derive from stem tissue but exist under the soil surface. Plants have two axes of growth, which can be best seen from seed germination and growth. Seedlings develop two structures or axes of growth, one that develops upward out of the soil,...
s.
In the spring the underground stems produce compound leaves that are large and finely toothed. Tiny white flowers, typically in three, globe-shaped clusters 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) wide, are produced on tall scape
Scape
In biology, the term scape may refer to:* The first segment of an insect antenna* A finger-like appendage of the epigyne of a female spider* Scape , a flowering stemScape may also refer to:...
s that grow about the same height as the leaves. These bloom from May to July and develop into purple-black comestible berries. The leaves go dormant in summer before the fruits ripen. The berries taste a little spicy and sweet.
The slender stem of the plant grows straight up from the ground and divides into a whorl of 3 stems which branch up and out, each forming 3 to 7 (most often 5) pinnately compound
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
leaflets; leaflets ovate, acute, serrate, green.http://www.permaculture.info/index.php/Aralia_nudicaulis
Technically, all the leaflets on one plant are considered to be one entire leaf
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
, and the stems that connect the leaflets are called Rachis
Rachis
Rachis is a biological term for a main axis or "shaft".-In zoology:In vertebrates a rachis can refer to the series of articulated vertebrae, which encase the spinal cord. In this case the rachis usually form the supporting axis of the body and is then called the spine or vertebral column...
; this arrangement is called doubly compound. In some cases some of the leaflets are further completely subdivided, forming a triply compound pattern.
This species is similar to Aralia hispida (Bristly Sarsaparilla) which is a little larger with stems covered with bristly hairs, hence the name. The stems of A. nudicaulis are smooth.
The roots have been used as substitutes for true Sarsaparilla
Sarsaparilla
is a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems that is native to Central America. Common names include Sarsaparilla , Honduran Sarsaparilla, and Jamaican Sarsaparilla...
(Smilax sp.) in herbal medicine.
This plant is so common in certain ecologies that it is an indicator species for these Eastern Forests of North America: Northern Hardwood Forest, Beech-Maple Forest
Beech-maple forest
A beech-maple forest is a climax mesic closed canopy hardwood forest. It is primarily composed of American Beech and Sugar Maple trees which co-dominate the forest and which are the pinnacle of plant succession in their range...
, and Oak-Hickory Forest.
Because it sometimes grows with groups of 3 leaflets, it can be mistaken for poison ivy
Poison ivy
Toxicodendron radicans, better known as poison ivy , is a poisonous North American plant that is well known for its production of urushiol, a clear liquid compound found within the sap of the plant that causes an itching rash in most people who touch it...
; the way to tell the difference is that Wild Sarsaparilla lacks a woody base and has fine teeth along the edges of the leaves.http://www.naturenorth.com/summer/pivy/pivy2.html
External links
- Connecticut Botanical Society: Aralia nudicaulis
- Rook.org:Aralia nudicaulis
- Flowering Plants in the Northern Deciduous Forest - pictures of leaves, flowers and fruit for identification