Plant Details

Aralia nudicaulis

Wild Sarsaparilla

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Aralia nudicaulis.

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Common names

17 names · 15 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Wild Sarsaparilla[1]
Other languages (14)
Dutch
  • Naakte aralia
French
  • aralie à tige nue[1]
  • Salsepareille nue
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 裸茎楤木[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 裸莖楤木[1]
Czech
  • Arálie nahá[1]
Finnish
  • peittoaralia[1]
Lithuanian
  • Plikastiebė aralija[1]
Ojibwe
  • Bebaamaabiig (Okadak, Wabo'sûskwe)[1]
Polish
  • Aralia bezbronna[1]
Portuguese
  • Arália[1]
  • Salsaparilha-falsa[1]
Russian
  • Аралия голостебельная[1]
Slovak
  • aralka holá[1]
Swedish
  • kryparalia[1]
Ukrainian
  • Аралія голостеблова[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Aralia nudicaulis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • wild sarsaparilla — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • Аралия голостебельная — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • Bebaamaabiig (Okadak, Wabo'sûskwe) — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • kryparalia — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • aralie à tige nue — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • 裸茎楤木 — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • 裸莖楤木 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • Plikastiebė aralija — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • Salsaparilha-falsa — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • Arália — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • Arálie nahá — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • peittoaralia — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • Aralia bezbronna — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • aralka holá — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.
  • Аралія голостеблова — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 119828; Aralia nudicaulis.

General information

Scientific name: Aralia nudicaulis
Accepted name (Kew): Aralia nudicaulis L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Araliaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Aralia (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Wild Sarsaparilla
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Medium
Height: 0.40 m
Spread: 0.30 m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4-8
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral
Light:
Shade, Partial shade

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Shoots, Fruit, Root, Condiment, Tea
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
None

Description

The rootstock of this plant is used as a flavoring, often as a substitute for sarsaparilla and for making 'root beer.' It can also serve as emergency food: usually mixed with oil, it has a sweet, spicy flavor and pleasant aroma. It is nutritious and was used by Native Americans during wars or hunting due to its nutritional value. The young shoots can be cooked as a vegetable. A refreshing herbal tea with a pleasant taste is made from the root. The roots are boiled until the water turns a reddish-brown color. Jelly is also made from the fruits, which have a diameter of about 6 mm and look like round, purple-black berries. The fruits can also be used to make wine.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/05
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 957108; name ID 13950; Aralia L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 957311; name ID 14176; Aralia nudicaulis L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.