Aralia racemosa

Common Names

American Spikenard, Spikenard, Petty Morrel, Life of Man, Old Man's Root, Small Spikenard, Indian Root, Indian Spikenard, Aralia, Spignet

Summary

American Spikenard is a North American native herbaceous perennial, 36–48 inches tall, with large compound leaves and white to near-white flowers arranged in tall panicles; it is woodland shade tolerant, thriving in sun to partial shade, and forms a clump; roots are aromatic and berries appear in late summer, with birds feeding on them.

Grown best in average to moist soils with a pH of 6.1–7.8 and hardy in zones 3a–8b, it requires average water and avoids overwatering; an ornamental in shade gardens, it propagates from seed (direct sow outdoors in fall; winter sow in vented containers or coldframes; stratify if sowing indoors) with seed collection after flowering; edible parts include roots, shoots, leaves, and fruits, fruits most palatable raw or dried, and roots used to flavor soups and as a substitute for root beer.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3–5 ft

Spread

3-5 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, rich, humus-rich loam that is well-drained, pH 5.0–7.0

Soil Drainage

Well-drained to moderately moist soil (moist but not waterlogged).

Soil pH

5.0-7.8, Mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soils, Circumneutral (around pH 7)

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Green, with a dark green upper surface and paler or silvery-green lower surface.

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow to Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings (including root cuttings), Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, other pollinators, and birds