Aralia californica
S.Watson
Araliaceae
Aralia racemosa occidentalis Torr.
Common Name:
Flowering plant at Oberfranken, Hof, Botanischer Garten, Bayern, Germany
Photograph by: Udo Schmidt
General Information
Aralia californica is a robust, perennial plant with somewhat woody stems. It can grow 150 - 350cm tall with a spread of 100 - 300cm. The plant grows from a thick, horizontal rhizome[
1075- Title
- Systematics and Biogeography of Aralia L. (Araliaceae): Revision of Aralia Sects. Aralia, Humiles, Nanae, and Sciado
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 57 pp 1 - 172
- Author
- Jun Wen
- Website
- http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/pubs/CUSNH/
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institute; Washington
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
- 0097-1618
- Description
- A detailed revision of four sections of the genus Aralia.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1075- Title
- Systematics and Biogeography of Aralia L. (Araliaceae): Revision of Aralia Sects. Aralia, Humiles, Nanae, and Sciado
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 57 pp 1 - 172
- Author
- Jun Wen
- Website
- http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/pubs/CUSNH/
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institute; Washington
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
- 0097-1618
- Description
- A detailed revision of four sections of the genus Aralia.
Range
Southwest N. America - Oregon, California.
Habitat
Shady and moist habitats such as in moist redwood, Douglas fir, and/or pine forests; mountain slopes and valleys; at the edge of forests; along river banks, shaded streams, creeks, and ravines; at elevations from sea level to 1,830 metres[
1075- Title
- Systematics and Biogeography of Aralia L. (Araliaceae): Revision of Aralia Sects. Aralia, Humiles, Nanae, and Sciado
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 57 pp 1 - 172
- Author
- Jun Wen
- Website
- http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/pubs/CUSNH/
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institute; Washington
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
- 0097-1618
- Description
- A detailed revision of four sections of the genus Aralia.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 2.50 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Self-fertile | No |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Aralia californica is only hardy in the warmer regions of the temperate zone and is unlikely to thrive in areas where winter temperatures fall below about -5°c[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Grows best in a good deep loam and a semi-shady position[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Requires a sheltered position[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. Plants are hardier when grown in poorer soils[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
A decoction of the dried roots is considered a tonic. It is used in the treatment of various ailments including lung complaints, TB etc;colds and fevers; stomach diseases; menstrual disorders[
257- Title
- Native American Ethnobotany
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moerman. D.
- Publisher
- Timber Press. Oregon.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-88192-453-9
- Description
- Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
,
1075- Title
- Systematics and Biogeography of Aralia L. (Araliaceae): Revision of Aralia Sects. Aralia, Humiles, Nanae, and Sciado
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 57 pp 1 - 172
- Author
- Jun Wen
- Website
- http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/pubs/CUSNH/
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institute; Washington
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
- 0097-1618
- Description
- A detailed revision of four sections of the genus Aralia.
].
A decoction of the roots is used as a soak or a wash in the treatment of arthritis; sores and itches[
257- Title
- Native American Ethnobotany
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moerman. D.
- Publisher
- Timber Press. Oregon.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-88192-453-9
- Description
- Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
].
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[
134- Title
- Growing from Seed. Volume 2.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rice. G. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1988
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.
]. 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[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
78- Title
- Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sheat. W. G.
- Publisher
- MacMillan and Co
- Year
- 1948
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
]. Store the roots upside down in sand and pot up in early to mid spring. High percentage[
78- Title
- Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sheat. W. G.
- Publisher
- MacMillan and Co
- Year
- 1948
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Division of suckers in late winter[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
]. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
