Hercule's club, Devil's walking stick, American angelica tree
Aralia spinosa
Family: Araliaceae
What it is like
A deciduous tree. It grows 10 m tall. It spreads by root suckers. The bark is grey and has stout prickles. The leaves are twice divided and very large. They are 1 m long. There are many oval leaflets which taper to the tip. These are 7.5 cm long by 4 cm wide. They are bronze when young and become dull green above and paler underneath. They are hairy on both sides. They turn yellow to purple before they fall. The stalk is prickly and the shoot is stout and prickly. The flowers are small and white. They occur in clusters in large heads. They are on a single main axis. They fruit are rounded and purple-black. They are 6 mm long.
There are about 40-55 Aralia species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in the eastern United States. It grows along riverbanks and in moist woods. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Britain, Europe, Georgia, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The young unfolding leaves are used as a potherb. They are finely chopped, flavoured with vinegar and eaten with rice.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowers - honey