Wild Sarsaparilla / Aralia nudicaulis

This photo was taken way back on 2nd July 2009, at the Mountainview Sports and Handicapped Centre north of the city. I think I've only ever come across this plant two or three times, and it's not the easiest plant to photograph. Being posted for interest, not for photographic merit : )

"Sarsaparilla is a primary ingredient in old fashioned-style root beer, in conjunction with Sassafras, which was more widely available prior to studies of its potential health risks." From Wikipedia. Thanks, Papa Ellis!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aralia_nudicaulis