What is "aralia racemosa"

Spikenard \Spike"nard\, n.[For spiked nard; cf. G. spieknarde, NL. spica nardi. See Spike an ear, and Nard.]

1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant. In the United States it is the Aralia racemosa, often called spignet, and used as a medicine. The spikenard of the ancients is the Nardostachys Jatamansi, a native of the Himalayan region. From its blackish roots a perfume for the hair is still prepared in India.

2. A fragrant essential oil, as that from the Nardostachys Jatamansi.

life-of-man \life-of-man\ n. An unarmed woody rhizomatous perennial plant ( Aralia racemosa) distinguished from wild sarsaparilla by more aromatic roots and panicled umbels; it grows from Southeastern North America to Mexico.

Syn: American spikenard, petty morel, Aralia racemosa.

Aralia racemosa, with common names American spikenard, small spikenard, Indian root, spice berry, spignet, life-of-man, petty morel, is an ornamental plant in the Araliaceae family native to the United States and Canada. It is a herbaceous plant, about one to two meters tall, which grows in shady areas. Its native range includes most of the eastern United States.