Practical
Plants

Aralia hispida

Bristly Sarsaparilla

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Aralia genus in the family Araliaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Aralia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A tea is made from the roots[3]. The roots are also used for making 'root beer'[3].

Product or use
Drink
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A tea made from the leaves is diaphoretic[7]. The root is alterative and tonic[8]. An infusion of the root has been used in the treatment of heart diseases[8]. The bark, and especially the root bark, is diuretic and tonic[9][7]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh root[9]. It has alterative, diaphoretic and diuretic properties and is considered to be a good treatment for dropsy[9].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Cardiac
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
Eastern and Central N. America - E. Canada to Virginia, west to Illinois and Minnesota.
Habitat
Rocky or sandy sterile soils, Alberta to Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 - 5 months of cold stratification. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 4 months at 20°c[2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Once the plants are 25cm or more tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions, late spring or early summer being the best time to do this. Root cuttings 8cm long, December in a cold frame[1][10]. Store the roots upside down in sand and pot up in March/April. High percentage[10]. Division of suckers in late winter[1]. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moderately fertile deep moisture-retentive well-drained loam and a position in semi-shade but also succeeds in a sunny position[5]. Requires a sheltered position[5]. Plants are hardier when grown on poorer soils[5]. This species is especially tolerant of poor dry soils[5]. Prefers an acid soil[4]. Dormant plants are hardy to at least -15°c[4][5]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. The whole plant has an unpleasant smell[9].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Livingstone. B. Flora of Canada National Museums of Canada 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-660-00025-3

    ↩

  7. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  9. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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