We are following the treatment in Jun Wen; Systematics and Biogeography of Aralia L. (Araliaceae): Revision of Aralia Sects. Aralia, Humiles, Nanae, and Sciadodendron; Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Volume 57: 1-172, 2011[]. Some other treatments, inclusing the Kew 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families' treat this taxon as a synonym of Aralia cordata Thunb.[].

Common Name: Sakhalin Spikenard

General Information

Aralia schmidtii is a herbaceous, perennial plant that produces one to several unbranched stems 100 - 300cm tall from a thick, fleshy rootstock[, ].
The plant is probably used locally as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - northern Japan, Russian Federation - Sakhalin and Kuril islands.

Habitat

Thickets and thin woods, esp. by streams and ravines[, ]. Deciduous forests near the sea shore[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the temperate zone, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[].
Prefers a deep moderately fertile moisture-retentive well-drained loam and a semi-shady position[, , ]. Requires a sheltered position[]. Plants are hardier when grown in poorer soils[].
This species is closely related to A. Racemosa[].
The rootstock is similar to Aralia cordata[]. It is considered to be no more than a subspecies of Aralia cordata by some botanists[].

Edible Uses

The following uses are for the closely related Aralia cordata. It is quite possible that they also apply to this species[].

Shoots - cooked or raw[, , , , ]. They can be up to 1.5 metres long and have a mild and agreeable flavour[]. They are usually blanched and are crisp and tender with a unique lemon-like flavour[]. They can be sliced and added to salads, soups etc[]. The shoots contain about 1.1% protein, 0.42% fat, 0.8% soluble carbohydrate, 0.55% ash[].
Root - cooked[, , ]. Used like scorzonera[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 - 5 months of cold stratification. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 4 months at 20°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Once the plants are 25cm or more tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions, late spring or early summer being the best time to do this.
Root cuttings 8cm long, early winter in a cold frame[, ]. Store the roots upside down in sand and pot up in early to mid spring. High percentage[].
Division of suckers in late winter[]. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.