Aralia racemosa

Aralia racemosa, commonly known as American Spikenard, Life-of-Man, is a perennial.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Aralia racemosa 11.1 History 11.2 Aralia racemosa in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Aralia racemosa was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The name is considered as validly published.

[edit] Taxonomy

The American Spikenard is a species in the genus Aralia (spikenard) which contains 73 species and belongs to the family of the Araliaceae (Ginseng Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The perennials grow to a height of approximately 3 meters.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Aralia racemosa is a decidious plant.The leaves are arranged opposite one another.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are five-petaled. The plants bloom from July to August.

The fruits are drupes.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Aralia racemosa is native to eastern Canada, the Northeast of the US, the central Northeast of the US, the northern Prairie States of the US, the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest of the US, the Southeast of the US, the southern Prairie States of the US and Mexico.

[edit] Cultivation

The American Spikenard prefers a sunny to half shady site and can withstand temperatures down to -34,4º C. It grows best in loamy soil, sandy, loamy soil, loamy clay soil that is moist.

[edit] Uses

Aralia racemosa is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Aralia racemosa

[edit] History

[edit] Aralia racemosa in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Aralia racemosa in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Aralia racemosafr:Aralia racemosa