Japanese Spikenard

(Aralia cordata)

Japanese Spikenard (Aralia cordata)

Qwert1234

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Estimated Native Range

Summary

Aralia cordata, commonly known as Japanese Spikenard, is a deciduous perennial herb native to moist, shaded woodlands and forest edges in East Asia, including Japan, Korea, and parts of China. It exhibits rapid growth, reaching heights and widths of 1.8 to 2.7 meters (5.9 to 8.9 ft) within a single growing season. The plant forms large, compound leaves and has an upright, clumping habit. During late summer to early fall, it produces showy inflorescences of small, greenish-white flowers, which are followed by purplish-black berries that are attractive to birds.

Japanese Spikenard is valued for its bold foliage and architectural form, making it a striking addition to shade gardens and woodland settings. It is also appreciated for its adaptability to a range of soil types, including normal, sandy, or clay soils with a neutral to acidic pH of 5.0 to 7.5. While it prefers part shade, it can tolerate a variety of light conditions. The plant is frost-hardy, dying back in winter and re-emerging in spring, and can be productive for six years or more. It is used both ornamentally and for its edible young shoots, which are consumed as a vegetable, and its roots, which have medicinal properties. Gardeners should be aware that while it is generally low-maintenance, it can spread aggressively if conditions are ideal, potentially becoming invasive in some areas.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 3-6 feet
Width: 3-6 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Green, White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Moist, shaded woodlands and forest edges in East Asia

Other Names

Common Names: Udo, Japanese Asparagus, Mountain Asparagus, Herbal Aralia, Wild Sarsaparilla, Herzförmige Aralie, Japanische Bergangelika, Aralia Del Japón, Aralia Du Japon, Sallatsaralia

Scientific Names: , Aralia cordata, Aralia edulis, Aralia cordata var. cordata, Aralia cordata var. sachalinensis, Aralia schmidtii, Aralia taiwaniana, Aralia racemosa var. sachalinensis, Aralia racemosa f. sachalinensis, Aralia lucida

GBIF Accepted Name: Aralia cordata Thunb.