Common Name: Wild Sarsaparilla

General Information

Aralia nudicaulis is a stemless, herbaceous perennial plant growing 35 - to 70cm tall from long, horizontal rhizomes that can spread and form colonies. Although the habit of the plant is described as herbaceous, it is woody in essence, because it has a woody horizontal rhizome and a short upright woody stem. It has been remarked that the plant behaves like an underground or buried shrub[, ].
The plant is often harvested from the wild for use as a medicine and a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

N. America - Yukon to Newfoundland, south to Tennessee and Georgia

Habitat

Moist, shady, rocky woods[, ]. Moist or dry woods, thickets, riparian areas, margins of prairies, or bog edges; at elevations from 50 - 2,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Aralia nudicaulis is generally a plant of continental climates that are subhumid to humid and may be influenced by maritime air masses. The winters are long and cool to cold; summers are short and warm. Moderate amounts of precipitation occur throughout its range, varying from 409 - 1,650mm. The plant is) very cold tolerant when dormant, but the young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender - it is best to grow the plants in a position where in spring it is sheltered from the early morning sun[].
Prefers a good deep loam and a semi-shady position[, ] though plants in the wild are found growing on a wide range of soil in in a variety of habitats[]. Requires a sheltered position[].
Plants are hardier when grown in poorer soils[].
Although the top-growth is killed, plant roots survive firesand resprout vigorously afterwards[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

The rootstock is used as a flavouring[], it is a substitute for sarsaparilla[] and is also used for making 'root beer'[]. It is also used as an emergency food[] (usually mixed with oil[]), having a sweet spicy taste and a pleasant aromatic smell[]. A nutritious food[], it was used by the Indians during wars or when they were hunting since it is very sustaining[].

Young shoots - cooked as a potherb[].

A refreshing herbal tea is made from the root[]. Pleasantly flavoured[, ]. The roots are boiled in water until the water is reddish-brown[].

A jelly is made from the fruit[]. The fruit is also used to make wine[]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

Wild sarsaparilla is a sweet pungent tonic herb that acts as an alterative. It had a wide range of traditional uses amongst the North American Indians and was at one time widely used as a substitute for the tropical medicinal herb sarsaparilla[, ].

The root is alterative, diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral and stimulant[, , , ]. The herb encourages sweating, is stimulating and detoxifying and so is used internally in the treatment of pulmonary diseases, asthma, rheumatism, stomach aches etc[, , , , ]. A drink made from the pulverised roots is used as a cough treatment[].
Applied externally the root is used as a poultice in treating rheumatism, sores, burns, itchy skin, ulcers and skin problems such as eczema[, , ].
The root is collected in late summer and the autumn and dried for later use[, ].

A poultice made from the roots and/or the fruit is applied to sores, burns, itchy skin, ulcers, swellings etc[, ].

A homeopathic remedy made from the roots is important in the treatment of cystitis[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants spread at the roots and can form quite large colonies in woodland, where they can be used to provide an effective ground cover, especially useful within the plant's native range[].

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.