J blue on Nostr: Plant prefers deep shade and rich mulchy forest soil. Like clockwork, it sprouts in ...

Plant prefers deep shade and rich mulchy forest soil. Like clockwork, it sprouts in May and dies back in September. Warm winter weather does not prematurely force sprouting like tulip/daffodil bulbs.

Spikenard sprouts (Aralia cordata) are used in Japan cuisine but I found that racemosa’s sprouts are too fibrous even when very just emerging. The leaves are edible and taste faintly minty with some anise and lettuce.

The fruit tastes like sweet carrot juice with a bit of chamomile.