Scientific Name:
Aralia elata
Pronunciation:
uh-RAY-lee-uh ee-LAY-tuh
Common Name:
Japanese angelica tree
Family Name:
Araliaceae
Plant Type:
Tree - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Leaves bipinnately compound, 40-90(-120)cm long, with 7 to 9 leaflets further divided into 7-13 pinnae that are broadly ovate to elliptic, most 6-12cm long x 4-8cm wide, may have prickles arising from some veins; bark with 3-5mm long randomly arranged thorn-like prickles; panicles of tiny white-yellowish green flowers forming simple umbels; drupes black, round, 3-4mm wide, Sep-Nov. Winter ID: twigs 6-8mm wide; spines 2-3mm long, leaf scars wrapped more than half way around with >12 bundle scars in a half circle row, buds 1-2mm long.
Habit:
Spreading, Upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
3 - 5m
Mature Spread:
4 - 5m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
S.E. Asia / Japan / China (also Korea and far east Russia)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade, Sheltered
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Attract birds, Specimen plant, Woodland margin
Additional Info:
Google. Compare to A. spinosa.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Compound
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Prickly
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Compound Leaf:
Bipinnate
Colour in Fall:
Yellow, Orange, Purple, Dark-red
Shapes:
Elliptic, Ovate
Apices:
Caudate
Bases:
Rounded
Margins:
Serrulate
Inflorescence Type:
Umbel, Floriferous, Panicle-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Yellow, Green
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug, Sep
Fruit Type:
Drupe
Fruit Colour:
Black
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct, Nov
Bark Morphology:
Multi-stem trunk
Bark or Stem Colour:
Dark Grey
Additional Info:
Prickles
Leaf Bud Type:
Ovoid (Distinctive smell)
Leaf Scar Shape:
Crescent shaped
Organ Modifications:
Prickles, Stipule (pointy spines), Root suckers
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Medium
Other:
Potentially invasive - remove root suckers and seedlings to prevent from spreading
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids, Bacterial leaf spot, Fungal leaf spot, Mealybugs, Mites (Deer resistant)
