Chinese angelica tree
Aralia chinensis

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A tall shrub or small tree. It grows 9 m tall. It spreads about 9 m wide. It develops suckers freely. The leaves are up to 1 m long and are twice divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 0.6 m wide. The flowers are off-white. They are small but occur in large panicles. Some consider it a deciduous form of Aralia elata.

There are about 40-55 Aralia species.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It grows in warmer areas of China. It grows in wetlands. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. It grows in Yunnan and Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Europe, Himalayas, Indochina, Laos, SE Asia, Tibet

How it is used for food

The young unfolding leaves are used as a potherb. They are used in stir fry dishes or eaten fresh.

The leaves are commonly eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, buds

How it is grown

In Yunnan they are picked in April and May.

Its other names

Local names

Ci long pao, Gege, Liamu, MumIan Tou

Synonyms

See Aralia elata;