Wildflowers
of
Baxter State Park

Bristly Sarsaparilla
Ginseng Family 
( Aralia hispida)

Bristly Sarsaparilla; also known as dwarf elder or wild elder; native perennial.

Flower: Greenish white, small, numerous, in 2-10 rounded terminal clusters on slender stalks (July-August).

Leaves: Alternate, short-stalked; three sections, each with 3-5 leaflets; oblong- to egg-shaped; 2-5 cm long; margins toothed.

Stem: Bristly and branched.

Fruit: Dark-purple, rounded berries.

Height: 20-90 cm.

Habitat: Dry open to semi-open areas in rocky or sandy or sterile soils, often in extremely disturbed situations, such as clearings, rocky woods, tops of cliffs, sand dunes, recently-burned areas, even freshly bulldozed areas.

 

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