J20170706-0005—Aralia californica—RPBG (35765215735)

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. American Indians used a concoction as a disinfectant. They also used the leaves as food. Those interested in herbal uses should Google the species. The species grows in coastal California as well as the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges north from San Diego County into Southwestern Oregon. It is also found in the northern Sierra Nevada. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.