A moisture and shade-loving native to the forests of eastern North America, this plant is commonly called American Spikenard, Indian Root, and Spiceberry among other names. Plants are leafy subshrubs to small bushes reaching approximately 4 feet tall and wide, with large leaves divided into several smaller leaflets. Spikes of tiny unassuming white flowers appear in mid-summer, turning into bushels of bright red berries that attract birds before the plant dies to the ground in winter.
The berries are edible and sweet (though with many seeds, so best strained for juices or jellies), roots from established plants can be used for an anise-like substitute or as a Sarsparilla replacement for making rootbeer, and even young leaf shoots can be cooked in soups.
Available plants are young seedlings, approx. 3-5 inches in diameter.