Question: Hello, This shrub was located in Northwest Maine in late summer. The Plant had sharply pointed and finely serrated compound …
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Question
Hello, This shrub was located in Northwest Maine in late summer. The Plant had sharply pointed and finely serrated compound leaves. The stem was dark purple/brown. Habitat:edge of a bog along a sandy logging road. Other plants included pearly everlasting, spruce, balsam fir and raspberry. The surrounding bog contains sphagnum, tawny cottonsedge, cattail, and tamarack.
Answer
Dear eehrlich, you have photographed Aralia racemose (American spikenard). While certainly not restricted to the northern states, I see it more commonly in northern New England. It often is found in rich, rocky forests, but is not restricted to that natural community. The fruits taste like root beer overlaid with the usual aromatics of the celery family. Best wishes.
