Aralia hispida aka Dwarf Elder

Aralia hispida is a shrub in the Araliaceae family. It is deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves each year. Its common names include bristly sarsaparilla and dwarf elder. This plant lives for years. It comes from east-central and eastern Canada. Its range also spans the northern and eastern United States. It grows in a temperate climate. In the wild, it grows on rocky ground. It also grows in sandy soils with few nutrients. These sites help explain why it tolerates poor garden soil.

The shrub grows about 3.3 feet [1 metre] tall. It sheds its leaves for winter and grows new ones in spring. Plants For A Future says the whole plant smells bad. Flowers bloom from May to June. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects move pollen between the blooms. The supplied species evidence does not state the fruit's colour. It gives no species-level details on leaf shape or bark.

Grow it in part shade or a sunny spot. A sheltered woodland edge meets its stated needs. It prefers deep loam that stays moist but drains well. Soil with a fair level of nutrients suits it. Poor soil works too. It grows in sand, loam, or clay. It prefers acid soil but accepts neutral or mildly alkaline soil. It tolerates both dry and moist ground. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 3–7. Dormant plants withstand at least 5°F [−15°C]. But frost can harm new shoots in spring. Shielding young growth from early morning sun helps protect it. Plants in poorer soil may be more hardy.

Garden uses include woodland sites and sunny woodland edges. The plant gives wildlife shelter too. People use its roots in tea and root beer. These uses do not mean all plant parts are edible. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards. This does not prove safety for pets or people. The source records past uses of roots, leaves, and bark as medicine. These records do not prove that the treatments work.

Grow new plants from seed, root cuttings, or divided suckers. Sow fresh seed in a cold frame when ripe. Stored seed needs three to five months of cold treatment. Protect young seedlings through their first winter. The source lists no weed concern. The supplied evidence names no specific pests or diseases.