Aralia sp.
Spikenard, Spikenard
Family: Araliaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Aralia sp. (Spikenard) is a non-native California perennial in the Araliaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Sambucus: Aralia has leaves with many small leaflets in pinnate arrangement; Sambucus has larger leaflets and woody stems with pithy centers.; vs Hedera: Aralia has large divided compound leaves and grows upright; Hedera has simple lobed leaves and climbs with aerial roots.; vs Rosa: Aralia has many small leaflets without teeth and lacks prickles; Rosa has fewer toothed leaflets and thorny stems.; vs Nandina: Aralia has large herbaceous compound leaves; Nandina is a woody shrub with multiple-times-divided delicate leaflets.; vs Koelreuteria: Aralia is an upright herb with divided leaves; Koelreuteria is a tree with compound leaves and papery seed pods.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aralia sp. native to California?
No. Aralia sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Aralia sp. belong to?
Aralia sp. is in the Araliaceae family, genus Aralia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.