I cannot believe I do not know this fabulous plant. I must have passed it for years. It is herbaceous and over five feet high. Its flowers start out as green little pompoms then turn white. I do remember detecting an interesting aroma in the area earlier in the summer.

I love the little sparkler-shaped umbels after the berries fall off. This plant is in the genseng family. Roots are edible, also.

Its the berries that caught my eye. Tiny and shiny in the sunshine. A mix of dark purple and red among light green.

I do not forage, but read these are edible. I may pick a few to throw in the thicket I am creating.

I must do more research about the American Spikenard/ Aralia racemosa.

FLOWER still learning