Bristly Sarsaparilla

Aralia hispida is a member of the genus Aralia and is part of the Araliaceae family. It is distributed across regions including Labrador, Newfoundland, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and several U.S. states such as Vermont, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. This species was first described in 1801 by Vent. It is characterized by its compound leaves and dark, globular fruits. The plant is adapted to dry, sandy environments and is known for its rhizomes that can overwinter above ground.