Definition

Noun: 1. A perennial herbaceous plant: A North American plant (Aralia racemosa) of the ginseng family, characterized by an unarmed (non-thorny) woody rhizome, aromatic roots, and compound flower clusters (panicled umbels). It is distinguished from the closely related wild sarsaparilla.

Usage

• As a subject: "American spikenard is native to woodlands."
• As an object: "The forager identified the American spikenard by its distinctive scent."
• With modifiers: "The aromatic roots of American spikenard have been used traditionally."

Examples

• "We found a patch of American spikenard growing in the shaded understory of the forest."
• "The botanical guide notes that American spikenard can be distinguished from wild sarsaparilla by its more aromatic roots."
• "Historically, the roots of American spikenard were valued for their purported medicinal properties."

Advanced Usage

• In botanical description: The term is used precisely to refer to the specific species within the family Araliaceae. Its "panicled umbels" refer to its flower structure, where small flower clusters are arranged on branching stems.

Variants and Related Words

• Spikenard: A more general term that can refer to other plants, including a costly aromatic from the Himalayas (). Context is needed to avoid confusion.
• Wild sarsaparilla (): A closely related plant, often compared and contrasted with American spikenard.
• Aralia racemosa: The scientific (Latin) name for American spikenard.

Synonyms

• Life-of-man (a less common folk name).
• Petty morel (an archaic or regional name).

Different Meanings

• The word "spikenard" alone, without the modifier "American," typically refers to a different, historically significant plant from the Himalayas () used for its fragrant oil. "American spikenard" is a distinct New World plant.

Noun

1. unarmed woody rhizomatous perennial plant distinguished from wild sarsaparilla by more aromatic roots and panicled umbels; southeastern North America to Mexico