Spikenard, Eastern (Aralia racemosa), packet of 30 seeds

$4.95

(Menominee Blood Medicine, Life-of-Man, Petty Morel, American Spikenard)
Family:  Ginseng (Araliaceae)
Herbaceous perennial native to the Eastern US and hardy to -30 degrees F.  A comely plant, with large compound leaves and upright clusters of red berries.  Much used by the Native Americans, the root was considered a blood purifying spring tonic.  Native lore indicates use as an antidote to blood poisoning; stomachic, analgesic and antitussive; also effective as a poultice to treat wounds, lesions and swellings. Plant prefers rich, moist soils and part to full shade.  Seed requires an extended period of cold, moist stratification in outdoor conditions before it will sprout.  Sow in fall, midwinter or very early spring, with germination in the spring as the soil warms up.  A 90 day period of cold, moist refrigeration may yield some results, but is usually not as effective as planting in the shade house or cold greenhouse and letting the oscillating cycles and (if possible) natural snowfall and cold rain prepare the seeds for germination.  Work up seedlings in gallon pots and plant out to landscape once they are well established.  Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart.  30 seeds/pkt Open Pollinated

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  1. Question

    Scott

    Do you know if this can thrive near black walnuts?

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  2. Question

    Megan Olmstead (verified owner)

    Do you think this plant has the potential to hang on tight along a creek’s banks which occasionally flood?

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  3. Greg Monzel

    Greg Monzel

    Your pic appears to be red elderberry.

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      nope

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    • Wyatt Bottorff

      I find the picture you present curious, the leaves are narrower than what I see here in Appalachia. Is this a genetic difference or environmental I wonder?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      don’t know, the picture was taken in Eastern Kentucky.

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    • Derek (verified owner)

      I miscalculated how much time we have left of the cold season when I ordered these; there isn’t really time left to give them 90 days of proper cold. If stored properly, I imagine they should keep long enough for me to plant in late fall to come up the following spring, right?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Derek,
      The 90 day moist refrigeration doesn’t really equate to time required in outdoor conditions, because the oscillating temps of outdoor conditions (vs the constant temp of frig) spur germination more rapidly. If you check the monograph it says <> so in other words, you still have time, put them in a deep flat outdoors and screen against varmints. richo

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