Bushy plant with near heart-shaped leaves and tiny greenish-white summer flowers on panicles; flowers are followed by hanging clusters of showy fall fruits that ripen to purplish-black and are eaten by birds. Borne on soft stems, the leaves move in the breeze.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
American Spikenard
Aralia racemosa
Plant Type: Shrubs
Native Environment: Cliff, Forest
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost)
Main Color: White
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sun Exposure
Shade
Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects, Songbirds
Wildlife Benefit
Food/Birds
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size
Height:
36 to
48
inches
Spread:
36 to
48
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
48
inches
Spread: 36 to
48
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
48
inches
Spread: 36 to
48
inches
Typical Landscape Use
In shady spots near built structures; appropriate for larger containers. Also for wildlife habitat gardens or as a focal point in a woodland garden.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Ideally, plant in fertile moist but well-drained soil. Spreads slowly, eventually forming thickets.
Special Features
Ornamental Fruits / Seed Pods / Seed Heads
Special Usage
Containers
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.