Click on the image thumbnail to the right to enlarge -›››

Aralia californica - Araliaceae (Ginseng Family) – ‘California Spikenard,' 'Elk Clover.' – This is one of two west coast members of the Ginseng family, the other being the nearly unapproachable spine-covered Devil's Club. This, on the other hand, is a tropically lush herbaceous perennial topped with many 2" balls of fragrant white flowers which are attractive to bees. The flowers are followed by fragrant little berries which are relished by birds and make an interesting bitter-herby flavored snack. It is much used by local herbalists for its Ginseng-like properties as well as for making a cough supressing honey.

Growing by shady streams in the sweltering hot inland mountains all the way to within a few miles of the coast, this is a wonderful native for moist soils. It can also act as a bank stabilizer and is tolerant of rocky, clayey, or sandy soils, as long as root moisture is provided. It is hardy down to at least 10ºF, and it dies down to its rootstock in the winter, only to rise up to 8' or more on mature plants. It gives that tropical look in temperate California.