Wholesale Sarsaparilla

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on sarsaparilla root

description
indian sarsaparilla
Hemidesmus indicus, otherwise known as Indian sarsaparilla, is a species of plant in the Apocynaceae family.

This sometimes prostrate and sometimes semi-erect shrub is slender, twining, and laticiferous. Its aromatic roots are woody and produce the stem which is numerous, slender, terete, and thickened at the nodes.

The plant's leaves are opposite, short-petioled, and very variable, elliptic-oblong to linear-lanceolate. Outside the flowers are greenish, and inside are purplish, they are crowded in sub-sessile axillary cymes. The root is a substitute for Smilax spp. of sarsaparilla.

mexican sarsaparilla
Smilax medica, otherwise known as Mexican sarsaparilla, is a species of plant in the Smilacaceae family.

Its angular stem is armed at its joints with straight prickles, and a few hooked ones at intervals.

The paper-like leaves of mexican sarsaparilla are bright green on both sides, smooth, shortly acuminate, cordate, auriculate, five-nerved prominent veins underneath and otherwise variable in form. When aged, mid-rib and petioles have straight, subulate prickles, peduncles three lines to an inch. The umbels have twelve flowers with the pedicle three lines long.

common names & nomenclature
Sarsaparilla is from the late 16th century Spanish zarzaparilla, from zarza meaning "bramble" + a diminutive of parra meaning "vine."

Also known as:
Hemidesmus indicus: false sarsaparilla

Smilex medica: catbriers, greenbriers, prickly-ivys, Smilax aristolochiifolia

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for sarsaparilla

Hemidesmus indicus occurs over the greater part of India, from the upper Gangetic plain eastwards to Assam and in some places in central, western and South India.

Smilax medica is native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world, Mexico and other regions.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and cultivating sarsaparilla

climate
Sarsaparilla is common in partly shaded wooded areas because it uses its tendrils to climb up the trees. It is widely found in temperate, moist and warm areas.

soil
Grows well in a rich, well-drained soil.

growing
If gathered in the fall, cold-stratify seeds for 90 to 150 days. Do this by placing them between layers of damp paper towels in a lidded plastic container and storing it in an unheated garage or in the refrigerator. The winter cold is necessary for seed germination. Check towels and renew moisture once a month if needed. Plant into individual pots once large enough to handle. Plant out in the garden the next spring or summer.

harvesting
Harvest roots in the fall when the flavor is most concentrated. Dry for later use.

preserving
Store dried sarsaparilla roots, root pieces, or sarsaparilla root powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

additional information