Aralia californica
California Aralia ( Aralia californica )
The California Aralia ( Aralia californica ), English Elk Clover called, is a flowering plant in the family of Araliaceae ( Araliaceae ). It is native to California and southwestern Oregon.
Description
Vegetative characteristics
The California Aralia grows as a deciduous, perennial herbaceous plant, reaching stature heights of 2 to 3 meters. The roots are far-reaching. The plants containing a white milky sap.
The at a length of 1 to 2 m relatively large, alternate arranged leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade, as well as more or less bare. The composite leaf blades are simply pinnate to three times. The petioles are up to 30 cm long. The leaf blade is typically divided into three sections, each with three to five leaflets. The leaflets are ovate with a length of usually 15 to 30 cm to oblong with serrated edge and almost heart-shaped base.
Generative features
The ralativ large at a length of 30 to 45 cm total inflorescence consists of numerous doldigen part inflorescences. The flower has a diameter of 2 to 3 mm and is fünfzählig double perianth. The durable five sepals are fused at their base. There are five free petals present. It is only the inner circle with five stamens present. The ovary is inferior.
The case of a diameter of 3 to 5 mm relatively small fruits are globose, somewhat fleshy and dark - purple to black. The seeds are light and 3 mm long.
The chromosome number is 2n = 48
Occurrence
Aralia californica is native to California from Orange County into southern Oregon. It occurs in damp, shady places, in ravines and along rivers.
System
The first description of Aralia californica in 1876 by Sereno Watson in Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Volume 11, pp. 144-145.
Aralia californica belongs to the section in the genus Aralia Aralia.
Use
The Native Americans drank a tea made from the roots and ate the fruits as a tonic. Preparations of the root have been used against stomach ache, fever, and exhaustion, the cooked roots as a winding in itching and wounds.