Aralia californica, Western Spikenard, is endemic to California and Oregon and is found in moist shady woodland and along the banks of creeks and streams. It has lush-green pinnate foliage and racemes of attractive white flowers, typical of the the Aralioideae which are followed by small purple-black berries.

Aralia californica is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial and can reach up to 2 metres high in its annual growth cycle.  

The aromatic rootstocks have medicinal properties.