Aralia californica
Family: Araliaceae
Herbaceous perennial. Native to cool, wet canyons and stream
banks of the Pacific Northwest in the United States. This is the
largest herbaceous native American member of the Ginseng family, well adapted
to naturalization in cool canyons and creek bottoms, but equally adaptable
to growing in a partial shade situation in the garden. The
rhizomes, growing sometimes as big as an arm, exude aromatic oleoresin
when cut or bruised. As with many plants of this family, Spikenard
is an adaptogen, mildly stimulating like Eleutherococcus and also a sexual
tonic like Panax. Has a special affinity for strengthening the lungs.
Cultivation: Extra care. Sow seed outdoors in fall or
very early spring, or subject to 6 weeks cold, moist conditioning in the
refrigerator before sowing in a warm place. From start of cold conditioning,
the seeds usually take about 70 days to emerge. Space seedlings 4
feet apart. Grows to 10 feet tall.
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