Aralia spinosa Linnaeus. Common name: Devil's-walking-stick, Hercules's-club, Prickly-ash, Angelica-tree. Phenology: Jun-Sep. Habitat: Disturbed pocosins and bottomlands, disturbed areas, moist to dry forests and woodlands. Distribution: NJ west to s. IN, IL, and IA, south to c. peninsular FL and e. TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: Smith (1982) discussed the juvenile (prickly) and adult (unarmed) leaf phases of A. spinosa.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, Can, F, Fl7, FNA13, G, GW2, Il, K4, Mo2, NE, NY, Ok, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3, Frodin & Govaerts (2003), Moore, Glenn, & Ma (2009), Smith (1944), Smith (1982a). Basionym: Aralia spinosa L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Aralia spinosa - FNA13
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
- Great Plains: FACU
- Midwest: FACW
- Northcentral & Northeast: FAC
Heliophily ⓘ: 5
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Horticultural Information
Intro:
Stems:
Leaves:
Inforescence:
Flowers: Whitish flowers.
Fruits:
Comments:
Height: 12-15 ft.
plant sale text: This showy, fast-growing shrub is often favored for its attractive flowers and somewhat tropical appearance. Its flowers are a source of nectar for bees and butterflies alike, and birds enjoy its seeds in the fall. It has a rich history of human usage as well. The aromatic roots and fruits were used to treat tooth-ache, and the flowers are valued for their lemony fragrance. Care should be taken when selecting a location for Devil's Walking-stick due to its spines and its tendency to spread via rhizomes and suckers.
bloom table text:
description:
stems:
leaves:
inflorescence:
flowers: Whitish flowers.
fruits:
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern United States
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