Family:  Ginseng (Araliaceae)

Hardy to Zones 7 to 9

(Elk Clover, California Ginseng, Aralia californica, Western Spikenard)
This is the largest herbaceous member of its family that occurs here in the US. The root, aromatic and dripping with sticky white oleoresin, is the part normally used, and it has a long history of effectiveness in treating upper respiratory complaints and as a partus preperator in childbirth. The plant gives great strength to weakened parts (and weakened people). Preferring to grow near rushing streams in the part shade, California spikenard is nonetheless sufficiently robust and adaptable to be grown in regular garden conditions–it is probably the most forgiving, adaptable and easily grown of the “ginsengs.” Sow outdoors in cool, moist shade in the fall for germination in the spring. Alternatively, give 90 days refrigeration in moist potting soil in a plastic bag or jar and then plant outdoors in cool, moist shade. The plant is fast-growing and does well in rich soils in the part shade. It can even be container grown, although of course it doesn’t get as big if you restrict root development. Basically I’m in love with these and you can get a lot more information about California spikenard by reading my book “Making Plant Medicine.”   One other thing.  Once we planted some tree leaves that had been pooped on by birds eating aralia cal berries. We planted them in deep flats by burying the leaves just sub-surface.  The seeds came up very nicely in the spring, and the seedlings made the shape of a maple leaf!  Space plants 3 feet apart.

Packet contains 30 seeds
1 g contains ~600 seeds
5 g contains ~3,000 seeds

Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s