Aralia (
Spikenard) is a
genus of the
plant family Araliaceae, consisting of 68 accepted species of
deciduous and
evergreen trees and
shrubs, and some
rhizomatous herbaceous perennials. The genus is native to
Asia and the
Americas, with most species occurring in mountain woodlands. The species vary in size, with some herbaceous species only reaching 50 cm tall, while some are trees growing to 20 m tall.
The circumscription of Aralia has varied greatly. Species formerly included in a wider circumscription of the genus are now included in Fatsia, Macropanax, Oreopanax, Panax, Polyscias, Pseudopanax, Schefflera, and Tetrapanax, among others.
The genus Dimorphanthus Miq. is now considered a synonym of Aralia but is recognized as a section within that genus.
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