224 HOW TO KNOW WILD FRUITS 



BRISTLY SARSAPARILLA. WILD ELDER 

 Aralia hispida Ginseng Family 



Fruit. The dark blue, almost black, berry- 

 like drupes are usually five-seeded. When the 

 fruit is green, or the berry somewhat dry, it 

 shows its five parts very distinctly. The five 

 styles protrude through the persistent calyx tube 

 at the top of the fruit. Several umbels on very 

 slender smooth pedicels grow at the summit of 

 the plant stem. August. 



Leaves. The leaves are twice pinnate, with 

 long ovate leaflets. These are finely toothed, 

 sharply acute at the apex, narrowed or rounded 

 at the base, and hairy on the veins beneath. 



Flowers. The tiny white flowers grow in 

 nearly hemispherical clusters. 



This Sarsaparilla is distinguished by the 

 bristles which are scattered along the stem. It 

 grows from one to two feet high, and frequents 

 rocky and sandy places. It extends south to 

 North Carolina. 



