Wild sarsaparilla
Aralia nudicaulis
Family: Araliaceae
What it is like
A small plant. It grows about 25 cm high. It has a long creeping rootstock under the ground. The leaves are compound and have 3 divisions with 3-5 oval leaflets with teeth along the edge. Each leaflet is 5-12 cm long. The flowers are white or green and small. There are usually 3 dense clusters on a single leafless stalk. The fruit is a round, purplish-black berry.
There are about 40-55 Aralia species.
Where it is found
It grows in moist poplar woods and thickets. It suits hardiness zone 3.
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, Europe, North America, Turkey, Türkiye, USA
How it is used for food
The rootstock is used as an ingredient in root beer. It is also used in a herbal tea. The rootstock is boiled and the water can be sweetened and drunk.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves, root, flavouring
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.