Aralia californica California Spikenard (Elk Clover) is a tall plant in the ginseng family and the only ginseng native to California. Native to moist and shaded areas like stream banks and forest understory, it can reach four to ten feet tall. The long stalks and large, compound leaves give it a dramatic, almost tropical look. In summer it bears clusters of small white flowers. The flowers develop into large, deep purple berries in the fall [1][2]. Native Americans and early