Family: Araliaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 274 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Aralia
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Subarctic America to N. & E. U.S.A.
Description
Virginia-sarsaparilla, scientifically known as Aralia nudicaulis, is a distinctive member of the Araliaceae family, recognized and classified by the botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. This perennial herbaceous plant is native to Subarctic America and extends its range across northern and eastern regions of the United States.
Characterized by its unique growth pattern, Aralia nudicaulis typically features a single, unbranched stem that rises from a creeping underground rhizome. This structure supports a cluster of broad, compound leaves, each leaf comprising three finely toothed leaflets. During its blooming season, this plant produces a solitary, simple umbel of greenish-white flowers that eventually give way to small, globular purple-black berries.
Virginia-sarsaparilla thrives in a variety of habitats, often found in woodland understories, shaded hillsides, and mixed forests. Its adaptability to different terrains underscores its resilience and ecological significance. Beyond its botanical interest, this plant has also been historically valued for its medicinal properties, particularly by Indigenous cultures who utilized various parts of the plant in traditional remedies.
As a species, Aralia nudicaulis not only contributes to the biodiversity of its native regions but also holds a place in the ethnobotanical history of North America. Its presence in both wild and cultivated forms continues to be a subject of study and appreciation among botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.
Common Names
Eng: american-sarsaparilla, rabbitroot, shotbush, small-spikenard, virginia-sarsaparilla, wild licorice, wild sarsaparilla, small spikenard
Fra: angélique à tige nue, salsepareille, aralie à tige nue, aralie chassepareille
Swe: kryparalia
Deu: nacktstänglige aralie
En: Virginia-sarsaparilla, Shotbush, American-sarsaparilla, Small-spikenard, Wild licorice, Wild sarsaparilla, Rabbitroot, Small spikenard
Cr: Waposociyipîyk
Fr: Angélique à tige nue, Salsepareille, Aralie à tige nue, Aralie chassepareille
De: Nacktstänglige Aralie
Sv: Kryparalia
Synonyms
- Aralia nudicaulis f. depauperata (Vict.)
- Aralia nudicaulis var. elongata (Nash)
- Aralia nudicaulis f. abortiva (Dans.)
- Aralia nudicaulis f. virescens (Vict. & J.Rousseau)
- Aralia nudicaulis f. prolifera ((Apgar) Britton)
- Aralia nudicaulis var. prolifera (Apgar)
Distribution
- Alberta (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Yukon (native)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Sep 10, 2020 by brittany moy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 11, 2021 by Richard Wideman (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 29, 2021 by Pascal Guerin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 11, 2014 by EOL − Charlie Hohn (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Angelia Howard (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Kathy McKenzie (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 20, 2020 by flora flora (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 5, 2020 by Axel Diederichsen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 1, 2019 by marie (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Catherine Eden (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Raye Smith (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 29, 2021 by Oosaagi (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 29, 2020 by Charlene Beeston (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2022 by Laurel Robinson (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 29, 2021 by nathalie sauriol (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 18, 2020 by Perry Perry Rancourt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 10, 2019 by Perry Perry Rancourt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 24, 2022 by Olga Olga (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2020 by Hexal Oni (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2021 by jonathan orenga (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 1, 2014 by EOL − Charlie Hohn (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 6, 2014 by EOL − Charlie Hohn (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jun 24, 2014 by EOL − Sarah Carline (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jun 29, 2014 by EOL − Captain Fantastika Malone (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 15, 2014 by EOL − Charlie Hohn (cc-by-nc)