1. Unarmed woody rhizomatous perennial plant distinguished from wild sarsaparilla by more aromatic roots and panicled umbels; southeastern North America to Mexico
   "The American spikenard's berries turned dark purple in late summer";
   - petty morel, life-of-man, Aralia racemosa

Type of: subshrub, suffrutex

Part of: genus Aralia

Encyclopedia: American spikenard