Aralia nudicaulis

L.

Wild Sarsaparilla

G5Secure Found in 113 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.143274
Element CodePDARA02040
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderApiales
FamilyAraliaceae
GenusAralia
Other Common Names
Aralie à tige nue (FR) wild sarsaparilla (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-06-24
Change Date2000-01-31
Edition Date2025-06-24
Edition AuthorsSusan Spackman, David Anderson, and Steve Thomas (1/00); rev. Eric Nielsen (1/00), rev. Johnson, J. (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Aralia nudicaulis is a perennial herb that is common to locally abundant throughout a wide range in Canada and the northern United States. With a large range extent, more than 2000 occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, this species is considered secure. However, the status of this species should be monitored periodically due to threats posed by habitat alterations and potential demand for the medicinal herb trade.
Range Extent Comments
Aralia nudicaulis is found throughout much of Canada, in the United States from Maine south to the mountains of northern Georgia, and northwestwards to central Colorado and Washington state (USDA-NRCS 1999). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025, there are estimated to be more than 2000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Although threats are not widely documented, Aralia nudicaulis is potentially threatened by development, road maintenance, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.

A related species, Aralia racemosa, is included on the United Plant Savers "To Watch" List. This list consists of "herbs which are broadly used in commerce and which, due to over-harvest, loss of habitat, or by the nature of their innate rareness or sensitivity are either at risk or have significantly declined in numbers within their current range." (United Plant Savers 2000) While Aralia nudicaulis is occasionally used as herbal medicine, there are no reports of over-harvesting.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Aralia nudicaulis grows in shady forests and woodlands, often in dry soils but occasionally in swampy forests (Native Plant Trust 2025). In Colorado, it is found infrequently in cool ravines of the montane and eastern foothills (Weber and Wittmann 1996b).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/Woodland
Palustrine Habitats
FORESTED WETLAND
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
OntarioS5Yes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
ManitobaS5Yes
Nova ScotiaS5Yes
LabradorSUYes
Northwest TerritoriesS4Yes
Prince Edward IslandS5Yes
QuebecS5Yes
Yukon TerritoryS3Yes
SaskatchewanS5Yes
AlbertaS5Yes
Island of NewfoundlandS5Yes
New BrunswickS5Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
MichiganSNRYes
OhioSNRYes
New JerseyS5Yes
MarylandSNRYes
TennesseeSNRYes
District of ColumbiaSNRYes
ConnecticutSNRYes
ColoradoS3Yes
IndianaS5Yes
WisconsinSNRYes
NebraskaS3Yes
IowaS4Yes
KentuckyS2Yes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
MontanaS4Yes
MassachusettsSNRYes
New HampshireSNRYes
North DakotaSNRYes
IllinoisSNRYes
GeorgiaS2Yes
WashingtonSNRYes
South CarolinaS1Yes
MaineSNRYes
North CarolinaS4Yes
MissouriS2Yes
IdahoSNRYes
WyomingS3Yes
DelawareS5Yes
South DakotaSNRYes
New YorkS5Yes
VermontS5Yes
VirginiaS5Yes
West VirginiaS4Yes
MinnesotaSNRYes
Rhode IslandSNRYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
Unknown/undeterminedUnknownUnknownUnknown

Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (113)
Colorado (1)
AreaForestAcres
Comanche Peak Adjacent AreaArapaho & Roosevelt NFs44,158
Georgia (1)
AreaForestAcres
Shoal BranchChattahoochee National Forest413
Idaho (1)
AreaForestAcres
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
Michigan (1)
AreaForestAcres
FibreHiawatha National Forest7,432
Minnesota (7)
AreaForestAcres
Baker - Homer - Brule LakesSuperior National Forest6,712
Brule Lake - Eagle MountainSuperior National Forest12,380
Cabin CreekSuperior National Forest6,071
Kawishiwi Lake To SawbillSuperior National Forest15,305
Phantom LakeSuperior National Forest6,521
Tait LakeSuperior National Forest6,327
Wood LakeSuperior National Forest596
Montana (15)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest36,998
Flagstaff Mountain #690Kootenai National Forest11,114
Government Mountain #673Kootenai National Forest10,090
Marston Face # 172Kootenai National Forest9,098
Mckay Creek #676Kootenai National Forest15,323
Mt. BushnellLolo National Forest41,798
Saddle Mountain #168Kootenai National Forest14,675
Scotchman Peaks (MT)Kootenai National Forest53,909
Ten Lakes #683Kootenai National Forest48,545
Thompson Seton #483Kootenai National Forest29,379
Willard Estelle #173Kootenai National Forest3,714
New Hampshire (15)
AreaForestAcres
Carr MountainWhite Mountain National Forest17,110
Cherry MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,766
Dartmouth RangeWhite Mountain National Forest9,233
Great Gulf Ext.White Mountain National Forest15,110
JobildunkWhite Mountain National Forest3,660
KearsargeWhite Mountain National Forest4,554
KilkennyWhite Mountain National Forest28,766
Kinsman MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,999
Mt. Wolf - Gordon PondWhite Mountain National Forest11,846
PemigewassetWhite Mountain National Forest32,255
Pemigewasset ExtWhite Mountain National Forest15,840
Presidential - Dry River ExtWhite Mountain National Forest10,555
Sandwich RangeWhite Mountain National Forest16,797
WatervilleWhite Mountain National Forest4,312
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest46,878
North Carolina (6)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Chunky Gal (addition)Nantahala National Forest3,336
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
Linville Gorge AdditionPisgah National Forest2,809
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Sam Knob (addition)Pisgah National Forest2,576
Pennsylvania (4)
AreaForestAcres
Allegheny FrontAllegheny National Forest7,430
Hearts ContentAllegheny National Forest221
Minister ValleyAllegheny National Forest1,417
Tracy RidgeAllegheny National Forest9,034
Tennessee (5)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainCherokee National Forest11,743
Devil's BackboneCherokee National Forest4,287
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
London Bridge BranchCherokee National Forest3,387
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Vermont (6)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Devil's Den 09083Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests9,169
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,833
Lye Brook Addition 09085Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,111
Wilder Mountain 09082Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests8,759
Woodford 09086Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests2,456
Virginia (27)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Beards MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,505
Beartown Addition BJefferson National Forest2,985
Broad RunJefferson National Forest10,971
Brush Mountain EastJefferson National Forest4,916
Elliott KnobGeorge Washington National Forest9,380
Gum RunGeorge Washington National Forest12,620
Hunting Camp Little Wolf CreekJefferson National Forest8,953
JerkemtightGeorge Washington National Forest16,687
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Laurel ForkGeorge Washington National Forest9,967
Little AlleghanyGeorge Washington National Forest10,215
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Little Wilson Creek Addition BJefferson National Forest1,725
Mill MountainGeorge Washington National Forest10,840
Mountain Lake Addition AJefferson National Forest1,469
Mountain Lake Addition B (VA)Jefferson National Forest3,405
Mt. PleasantGeorge Washington National Forest8,933
North MountainJefferson National Forest8,377
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Ramseys Draft AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest12,781
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
SkidmoreGeorge Washington National Forest5,641
The PriestGeorge Washington National Forest5,737
Three RidgesGeorge Washington National Forest4,745
Washington (7)
AreaForestAcres
Abercrombie - HooknoseColville National Forest33,862
BangsColville National Forest3,746
Dry Canyon BreaksColville National Forest4,821
Grassy TopColville National Forest10,302
Grassy TopIdaho Panhandle National Forests13,485
Jackson CreekColville National Forest3,003
Salmo - Priest BColville National Forest11,869
West Virginia (11)
AreaForestAcres
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry ForkMonongahela National Forest657
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
Mountain Lake Addition B (WV)Jefferson National Forest557
North Mountain HopevilleMonongahela National Forest6,525
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Wisconsin (4)
AreaForestAcres
09012 - Round Lake Study AreaChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest3,707
09159 - ThornappleChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest9,744
09177 - Le Roy CreekChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest8,138
09180 - Perch LakeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest2,390
Wyoming (2)
AreaForestAcres
Laramie PeakMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest28,608
Sand CreekBlack Hills National Forest7,950
References (21)
  1. Chayka, K. 2025. Minnesota Wildflowers. https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info
  2. Culver, D. R. and J. M. Lemly. 2013a. Field Guide to Colorado's Wetland Plants. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. Colorado State University. 694 pp.
  3. Fernald, M.L. and A.C. Kinsey. 1958. Edible wild plants of eastern North America. Harper and Row. NY. NY.
  4. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2024. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 13. Magnoliophyta: Geraniaceae to Apiaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 566 pp.
  5. Gleason, H.A., and A. Cronquist. 1963. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. D. Van Nostrand Company, New York, NY. 810 pp.
  6. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
  7. Great Plains Flora Association. 1986. Flora of the Great Plains. University of Kansas Press, Lawrence. 1392 pp.
  8. Higman, Phyllis. Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Personal communication.
  9. iNaturalist. 2025. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2025).
  10. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  11. McClain, William. Illinois Natural Heritage Database Program. Personal communication.
  12. McGuffin, Michael. Personal communication. American Herbal Products Association, Silver Spring MD
  13. Native Plant Trust. 2025. Go Botany website. Online. Available: https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org (accessed 2025).
  14. <p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>
  15. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2025. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2025).
  16. Steinauer, Gerry. Personal Communication. Nebraska Natural Heritage Program Botanist. Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE
  17. Swink, F., and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region. Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
  18. United Plant Savers. Online. Available: http://www.plantsavers.org. Accessed 2000-Jan.
  19. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1999. November 3-last update. The PLANTS database. Online. Available: http://plants.usda.gov/plants. Accessed 2000-Jan.
  20. Weber, W.A., and R.C. Wittmann. 1996b. Colorado flora: Western slope. Univ. Press of Colorado, Niwot, Colorado. 496 pp.
  21. Weiner, M.A. 1980. Earth Medicine Earth Food. Ballantine Books, New York. 230 pp.