Connecticut Plants
Wild Sarsaparilla
Aralia nudicaulis L.

Wild sarsaparilla is a very common plant in Connecticut woods. It has purple-black berries. Wild sarsaparilla flowers look similar to those of wild leek, but wild leek flowers smell like onions, and the plants have no leaves at the time of flowering.

  • Family: carrot (Apiaceae)
  • Habitat: dry open woods
  • Height: 1-2 feet
  • Flower size: tiny; flower clusters 1-1/2 to 2 inches wide
  • Flower color: pale green to white
  • Flowering time: May to July
  • Origin: native
Aralia nudicaulis L.
Aralia nudicaulis L.
Aralia nudicaulis L.

Wild sarsaparilla has blue berries, which ripen in mid-summer.