Aralia nudicaulis
Wild sarsaparilla | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Apiales |
Family: | Araliaceae |
Genus: | Aralia |
Species: | A. nudicaulis
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Binomial name | |
Aralia nudicaulis L. | |
Synonyms[2] | |
List
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Aralia nudicaulis (commonly wild sarsaparilla,[3] false sarsaparilla, shot bush, small spikenard, wild liquorice, and rabbit root) is a species of flowering plant in the ivy family Araliaceae. It is native to northern and eastern North America.
Description
Aralia nudicaulis is a
The stem of the plant grows straight up from the ground and divides into a whorl of three
Aralia nudicaulis is similar to Aralia hispida (Bristly Sarsaparilla),[3] which is a little larger with stems covered with bristly hairs, hence the name. The stems of A. nudicaulis are smooth.[5]
Aralia nudicaulis is sometimes called fool's sang since it is often confused with American ginseng (
Taxonomy
The first scientific name for Aralia nudicaulis was published by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark Species Plantarum in 1753.[2]
Habitat
This plant is so common in certain ecologies that it is an indicator species for these Eastern Forests of North America: Northern Hardwood Forest,
Because it sometimes grows with groups of 3 leaflets, it can be mistaken for poison ivy; the way to tell the difference is that Wild Sarsaparilla lacks a woody base and has fine teeth along the edges of the leaves.[8]
The roots have been used as substitutes for true Sarsaparilla (Smilax sp.) in herbal medicine.
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Whole plant
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Seeds
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Plant parts
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Flowers
References
- ^ NatureServe (2024). "Aralia nudicaulis". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Aralia nudicaulis L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b Dickinson, T.; Metsger, G.; Hull, J.; and Dickinson, R. (2004) The ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario. Toronto:Royal Ontario Museum, p. 140.
- ^ Thomas A. Naegele, DO from his 1970s book Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Great lakes
- ISBN 0-395-18325-1.
- ^ Firestone, Chris K. (April 1, 2022). "Be aware—no foolin'!". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ A Field Guide to Eastern Forests; 1988, 1998; John C. Kricher; Easton Press; Houghton Mifflin Company.
- ^ The Biology of Poison Ivy (Rhus radicans) Archived October 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Nature North
External links
- Connecticut Botanical Society: Aralia nudicaulis Archived 2015-02-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Rook.org:Aralia nudicaulis
- Flowering Plants in the Northern Deciduous Forest Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine - pictures of leaves, flowers, and fruit for identification