APPLEGATER ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Western aralia: The Applegate’s only native plant in the ginseng family by Suzie Savoie Aralia californica can be referred to by ornamental, dark purple berries in the any of its many common names: western fall. The juicy berries are about the size of aralia, western spikenard, California peppercorns and have a pungent, ginseng- ginseng, or elk clover. Western aralia’s large, like flavor. green leaves grow on thick, non-woody One of the common names, elk stems. This lush plant gracefully arches to clover, is a bit of a misnomer since Aralia a mature height of from three to nine feet, californica is not really a clover at all; in but sometimes it can reach to an impressive fact, it is a member of the genus Araliaceae, ten feet. This is very tall for an herbaceous or the ginseng family. It is one of only two perennial plant that dies back fully to the native plants in Oregon in the ginseng ground each fall, only to return the next family; the other being Devil’s Club Western aralia emerging in spring along a gulch in the upper Applegate. spring from its thick, snakelike roots, which (Oplopanax horridus), found mainly in ailments including using the roots for sores the wild plants. are often embedded in rocks. Considering northwestern Oregon. Western aralia is and itching sores.” Western aralia is useful as an its relative tenderness, Western aralia is a the only member of the ginseng family Michael Moore, in his book Medicinal ornamental garden plant, but can also be very big and robust plant. that grows wild in the Applegate Valley. Plants of the Pacific West, states that western a welcome addition to a native or medicinal The broad, compound leaves have It is related to American spikenard (Aralia aralia “is an excellent tonic and soothing plant collection. According to Arthur R. a tropical look, but western aralia’s racemosa) and wild sarsaparilla (Aralia expectorant for people with chronic Kruckeberg, author of Gardening with natural distribution ranges from southern nudicaulis), plants native to the Midwest moist-lung problems.” The root, aromatic Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest, California to as far north as Linn County and eastern United States, and prized, as and full of sticky, white oleoresin, is western aralia “has been a most effective in Oregon’s western Cascades. Western is western aralia, for their medicinal uses. particularly potent, but the leaf and berry and decorative plant for similar wettish aralia has an affinity for moist gulches, According to wildlands advocate of the plant also contain many different habitats in Northwest gardens.” Western stream banks, canyons, and other cool, Wendell Wood, western aralia was medicinal properties. Michael Moore aralia will thrive in heavy shade as long as shady locations at elevations generally “historically used by the Karok Indians also says that “the cough syrup, tincture there is some moisture and the soil does not below 5,000 feet. Western aralia can be as an antirheumatic, were a decoction in hot water (toddy-like), or the leaf tea dry out completely. Before going dormant found, uncommonly, in such locations of roots used as a soak for arthritis. The is a good way to recuperate from some for the winter, western aralia produces throughout the Applegate Valley. Mendocino Indians used a decoction of the bronchitis or the winter lung-grunge.” rich and creamy yellow autumn foliage, In early to midsummer, western aralia dried roots for colds and fevers and also to Because western aralia is not common, providing beautiful contrast in the garden produces ball-like clusters of greenish treat stomach and lung diseases. The Pomo only cultivated plants should be used for or wild setting. white, sticky flowers that mature into saw it as a ‘panacea plant’ to treat many medicinal purposes. So please don’t disturb Suzie Savoie • [email protected]