Sarsaparilla

Sarsaparilla is a name given to several different plants whose roots have long been used to flavor drinks and in traditional medicine. True sarsaparilla comes from tropical climbing vines in the genus Smilax, while wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) is a low woodland plant from North America.

Wild sarsaparilla Quick Facts

Common name	Wild sarsaparilla
Scientific name	Aralia nudicaulis
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Tracheophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Apiales
Family	Araliaceae
Genus	Aralia
Type	Flowering plant with creeping underground stems
Habitat	Shady woodlands, bogs, swamps and rocky woods
Native range	Eastern and northern North America
Colours	Tiny white flowers; purple-black berries
Flowering season	May to July
Height	30–60 cm
Special feature	Root was used to flavour sarsaparilla drinks

Two Kinds of Sarsaparilla

True sarsaparilla (Smilax species) is a thorny, woody vine that grows in the forests of Mexico, Central America and South America, and in the Caribbean. Its long roots are the part people have used for centuries.

Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) is not closely related. It got its name because its fragrant roots were sometimes used as a substitute for true sarsaparilla. It also has many nicknames, including small spikenard, false sarsaparilla, shot bush, rabbit root and wild licorice. The rest of this article focuses mostly on wild sarsaparilla, which gardeners in North America can grow.

History of the Sarsaparilla Drink

Indigenous peoples of the Americas used sarsaparilla roots long before Europeans arrived. Spanish explorers took the root back to Europe in the 1500s, where it became a popular remedy.

The roots taste bitter, so in the 1800s people began mixing them with sugar and other flavors to make a sweet, fizzy drink. Sarsaparilla soda became very popular in the United States, especially in the Old West. It tastes a bit like root beer, and it was being sold long before brands such as Pepsi existed. Today most sarsaparilla drinks use other flavorings instead of real sarsaparilla root.

What Wild Sarsaparilla Looks Like

Wild sarsaparilla grows about 30-60 cm (12-24 in) tall. It has no tall, woody stem above the ground. Instead, a long creeping underground stem called a rhizome sends up a single large leaf each spring. The leaf stalk splits into three parts, and each part carries about three to five oval, finely toothed leaflets.

In late spring and early summer (around May to July), a separate flower stalk grows up beneath the leaf. It holds usually three round clusters of tiny greenish-white flowers, each cluster about 4-5 cm (1.5-2 in) across. These are followed by small purple-black berries that birds, chipmunks and bears enjoy. The berries are not a good snack for people.

Because the rhizomes spread underground, wild sarsaparilla often forms large patches on the forest floor.

Habitat

Wild sarsaparilla is native to much of Canada and the northern and eastern United States. It grows in shady deciduous and mixed forests, sandy or rocky woodlands, and along the edges of bogs and swamps. In states such as Illinois it is fairly common in the north but rare further south.

Growing Wild Sarsaparilla

Light and Soil

Choose a spot in partial to full shade, like the forest floor where this plant grows naturally. It can cope with some sun if the soil stays cool. It is not fussy about soil but does best in loose, well-drained soil with plenty of leaf litter or compost. Waterlogged soil can make the roots rot.

Planting

Seeds are slow and tricky. They often need two winters outdoors before they sprout. In the wild, seeds usually germinate after birds or animals eat the berries and pass the seeds. An easier way to start is to plant a piece of rhizome from a nursery in spring or fall.

Watering

Water young plants regularly until they are established. After that, wild sarsaparilla can handle short dry spells, so water about once or twice a week in dry weather and let the surface dry out between waterings.

Climate

This is a tough plant of cool, temperate climates. It needs cold winters and mild summers and can survive very harsh winter cold. It does not grow well in hot, dry or tropical places.

Traditional Uses

Sarsaparilla roots have been traditionally used in folk medicine for skin problems, joint pain and digestion, and as a general “spring tonic.” Scientists are still studying the plant, and there is not enough evidence to show that it treats any illness. Herbal products can also interact with medicines, so always ask a doctor before using sarsaparilla for health reasons.

Pests and Diseases

Wild sarsaparilla usually has few serious problems. Slugs and aphids sometimes nibble the leaves, and cutworms may attack young shoots. In soggy soil, fungal diseases such as root rot, blight and damping-off (which kills seedlings) can appear. Good drainage, plenty of air around the plants and removing damaged leaves help keep them healthy.

Wild sarsaparilla FAQs

Related: Ginseng