Ginseng Family. — Araliaceæ
Wild Sarsaparilla. Aralia nudicaulis.
Found on moist hillsides, and along thickets, in May.
The root sends up one tall leaf-bearing stem, from 12 to 15 inches in height, and beside it a short flower-stem.
The leaf is compound, sometimes doubly so, its leaflets long, oval, and sharp-pointed at the tip, with noticeable ribs, finely notched margins, and, when young, a very glossy surface; the foot-stems are 3, and of equal length, forking from the summit of the round, hard-fibred, shining stem. The leaf, when young, is strongly bronze-tinted; as it matures this fades, and leaves it a pleasing light green color; the stem is reddish at the joints, and near the foot.
The greenish-white flower is very small, its 5 petals are turned down on the little calyx, and the 5 long stamens are erect and alternate with them. The flowers are set on foot-stems in 3 flat-topped clusters, that are borne on round stems forking from the top of the main flower-stem.
The bronzy hue of the leaves companions the unopened buds,—by the time the flower-clusters are fully abloom the dark shining color has changed to green, the leaflets have grown much larger, and spread like a canopy ever the blossoms.
| Spikenard. | Aralia racemosa. |
| Spignet (Vt.). |
Found along rich woods and wayside thickets, in blossom in August.
A widely branching plant, from 3 to 6 feet high, with a large, strong, round stem; dull gray-black, not unlike willow charcoal in appearance.
The very large compound leaf is divided into 3 clusters, each one of which has from 5 to 7 leaflets, on short, curved foot stems; the leaflets are broad, of an irregular oblong shape, with a finely notched margin, and a slightly downy surface. In color a strong full green; with dark stems.
The very small flower has its parts in fives, and is greenish white; the flowers are on pale foot-stems and arranged in little round clusters; many small clusters together form the large compound group on the ends of the branches, and from the angles of the upper leaves.
In September the plant ripens a small red berry, of a spicy, resinous taste, agreeable to a confirmed wayfarer. The large joints are fitted together with excellent workmanship. This striking plant, with its wide-spreading, vigorous leafage, and dark stems, possesses highly decorative qualities; it is cherished by country folk, however, for the medicinal use they find for the root which is “good for a cough.”