American spikenard Aralia racemosa L

We have at least 5 of these plants in our woods in rather shady locations, without any water source nearby.  The plants are generally 1-3 feet tall and their leaves are up to 6 inches long, dark green and oval shaped with serrated margins.  The plant produces a cluster of white flowers in the
spring to early summer.
The berries start out white-green and ripen to red and then a blue-purple color.  This is in the Araliaceae family, the same as Ginseng, which follows with the shaded area it grows in.  The root is used in herbal medicine and can be a flavoring for root beer.  There are mixed opinions as to the
berries and whether they are edible.