Wildflowers Found in Oregon

California Spikenard

Aralia californica (Elk Clover) - It is a deciduous herbaceous perennial plant growing to a height of 2-3 m on stems which are thick but not woody. The stems bear large green pinnate or bipinnate leaves 1-2 m long and 1 m broad, the leaflets 15-30 cm long and 7-15 cm broad. The greenish white flowers are produced in large compound umbels 30-45 cm diameter at the stem apex; each flower is 2-3 mm diameter, and matures to small (3-5 mm) dark purple or black fruit, each berry containing 3-5 seeds. It is distributed throughout western and central California and into Oregon.