A small stand of wild sarsaparilla along the edge of a trail in the woods.
Aralia nudicaulis
EDIBLE root
Sarsaparilla has a spicy, aromatic root that tastes similar to fruit-flavored cereal. It has a sweetness on the palate and can flavor not only homemade root beer but also teas and other cocktail beverages as well.
Wild sarsaparilla is a small, low-growing woodland plant standing about 18 inches tall. Its stem is woody, and the plants spread by runners. The plant typically has one very large lead at the top of the hairless stem, and that lead is divided into three parts with five leaflets each. The flowers are 1-inch white clusters on a main stem. The roots are slender, whitish, and aromatic.
A small stand of wild sarsaparilla along the edge of a trail in the woods.
Sarsaparilla is a woodland plant that prefers moist soil in maple hardwood forests across the Midwest. The aromatic roots and runners can be gathered in early spring or late fall.
In areas with only a few plants, take care to harvest only the runners between the individual plants. Because tea requires a good deal of plant material, also consider making a plant extract with alcohol or glycerin instead of drying the roots so as not to overharvest an existing stand.
The roots and runners can be made into a simple syrup to flavor homemade sodas, like traditional root beer. Spicebush berries, wild ginger, and burdock root are all foraged plants that can work well with the flavors of sarsaparilla in a homemade soda or pair with a spicy rum for a forager’s cocktail. Make a spicy and aromatic bitters blend with the roots, aspen bark, tulip poplar tips and branches, and a tad of molasses for sweetness. Herbalists also use the leaves, berries, and root in teas that some say can help people better withstand stress.
Harvesting the entire rootstock of the sarsaparilla can negatively impact the plant, of course. Depending on the local range and availability of the plant, consider gathering the midsections or runners of the rootstock between the plants, without disturbing the attached individual plants. Sarsaparilla can be propagated by root cuttings in well-drained, rich, loamy woodland soil.