Flower ID: IMG_0495.JPG-05-26-2017 Flower name (scientific): Aralia nudicaulis Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) ah-RAY-lee-ah new-dee-KAW-lis Flower name (common): Wild Sarsaparilla Family name (common): Ginseng Family name (scientific): Araliaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Modern Latin, uncertain origin. Probably from the French-Canadian aralie. Specimens sent by Michel Sarrazin (Michel Sarrasin) (1659–1734) to J. P. Tournefort and to Le Jardin Du Roi (Paris) using this name (Austin, p. 102, 2004). The name aralie possibly coming from the Iroquois language (Quattrocchi, 2000). Specific epithet: From nudus, Latin for naked, and cauli, Latin for stalk, which describes the leafless part of the stalk of the plant. Common name origin: From its former use as a substitute for sarsaparilla (Smilax ornata) in making root beer. Flower description: Size: 0.25 inches (6 mm) Petal count: 5-parted Color: White Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-umbel Plant description: Size: 8 to 20 inches (20 to 50 cm) tall. Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is whorl, type is compound Size: Leaflets are about 7 to 12 cm long and up to about 5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, pinnately-divided (FWI), leaflet, ovate to obovate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native. Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Only observed in a few locations in Putnam Park. Bloom time (typical): May to June Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial. Habitat: Woodlands, shade or part shade, average to moist soil to dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): There is some similarity with Panax quinquefolius (American Ginseng), which is now a species of special concern in Wisconsin. The compound leaves of Panax quinquefolius are palmate, whereas those for Aralia nudicaulis are not palmate. The mature fruits of P. quinquefolius are bright red, those of A. nudicaulis are green turning dark purple at maturity. The leaflet stalks can also aid in differentiating the two species. Ethnobotany: Used by the Chippewa as an arbortifacient, dermatological aid, and as a blood medicine (Smith, p. 356, 1932; Densmore, p. 358, 1928). The Menominee employed the plant as a dermatological aid and a pulmonary aid. The Potawatomi also used the plant as dermatological aid. The Potawatomi used the root to reduce swelling and cure infections (Smith, p. 35, 1933). The Meskwaki employed the root to cure burns and sores (Smith, p. 203, 1928). At least seventeen other Native American tribes utilzed the plant for medicinal purposes. At least six tribes employed the plant as a food (Moerman, pp. 81-82, 1998). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Aralia nudicaulis f. abortiva Dans., Aralia nudicaulis f. depauperata Vict., Aralia nudicaulis var. elongata Nash, Aralia nudicaulis f. prolifera (Apgar) Britton, Aralia nudicaulis var. prolifera Apgar, Aralia nudicaulis f. virescens Vict. & J.Rousseau Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na