J20150723-0035—Aralia californica—RPBG (19940893289)

Description:

Aralia californica—elk's clover. Grows to 3 meters (10 ft.) tall. Often call spikenard in herbalist literature. A. californica is in the same family as ginseng (American ginseng is Panax quinquefolius ), Aralia californica is often used as a substitute with much the same results (very little, truthfully). American Indians used a concoction as a disinfectant. They also used the leaves as food. Those interested in herbal uses Those interested in such uses should Google the species. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.