Common Name: Bristly Sarsaparilla

General Information

Aralia hispida is a herbaceous, perennial plant with somewhat woody stems up to 100cm tall developing from a stout, woody, rhizomatous rootstock[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and a drink.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eastern and Central N. America - Saskatchewan to Labrador, south to Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina

Habitat

Rocky or sandy sterile soils, Alberta to Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Aralia hispida is a very cold-tolerant plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c when dormant[, ]. The young growth in spring however, even on mature plants, can be damaged by late frosts and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning spring sun[].
Prefers a moderately fertile deep moisture-retentive well-drained loam and a position in semi-shade but also succeeds in a sunny position[]. Requires a sheltered position[]. Plants are hardier when grown on poorer soils[]. This species is especially tolerant of poor dry soils[]. Prefers an acid soil[].
The whole plant has an unpleasant smell[].
The flowers contain both male and female organs, but only the male organs are active when the flowers first open, after 5 - 7 days the male phase ends and the female organs become active[].

Edible Uses

A tea is made from the roots[]. The roots are also used for making 'root beer'[].

Medicinal

A tea made from the leaves is diaphoretic[].

The root is alterative and tonic[]. An infusion of the root has been used in the treatment of heart diseases[].
The bark, and especially the root bark, is diuretic and tonic[, ].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh root[]. It has alterative, diaphoretic and diuretic properties and is considered to be a good treatment for dropsy[].

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.