Sarsaparilla Definition

The sarsaparilla plant is an ingredient in many things including root beer and sarsaparilla.

Native Americans had a great knowledge of the sarsaparilla plant. They used it for medicinal purposes as well as for food. In the American Old West the rhizome of the sarsaparilla plant was used to make both root beer and the nonalcoholic drink sarsaparilla.

Sarsaparilla Perennial Herb

Sarsaparilla is a perennial herb that grows to be between one and two feet and blooms between May and July. It has medium green leaves that are oval and oblong. The leaf edges are serrated. The plant has long roots that grow horizontally into the ground. Sarsaparilla also produces flowers and fruit.

Sarsaparilla Flowers

Sarsaparilla flowers are small greenish-white flowers that grow to be about one-half inch to two inches wide. The flowers grow on the plant in a cluster formation. The flowers are similar in appearance to those of a leek; however, sarsaparilla flowers do not smell like onions. Instead the plant has a faintly sweet smell.

Sarsaparilla Fruit

Sarsaparilla fruit is small and looks a lot like a blueberry. It is a medium blue color. The fruit grows in clusters just like the flowers. Sarsaparilla berries ripen during midsummer, but are not generally eaten due to an unpalatable taste.

References

• Boreal Forest.org: Wild Sarsaparilla
• Botanical.com: American Sarsaparilla
• Connecticut Botanical Society: Wild Sarsaparilla
• Purdue Horticulture: Wild-Sarsaparilla