Tree aralia, Castor aralia, Spiny panax
Kalopanax septemlobus

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A tree up to 18-30 m high. It loses its leaves during the year. The crown is round. It has scattered stout prickles on the trunk. The leaves are large and lobed like fingers on a hand. There are 5-7 lobes. These are pointed and have fine teeth along the edge. The leaves are on long stalks. The leaves are dark green above and paler underneath. The flowers are small and white in round heads. The fruit are bluish-black berries. These are in clusters.

There are about 20 Acanthopanax species. They are deciduous trees from temperate Asia.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in forests from near sea level to 2500 m altitude in China. It grows in Yunnan. It needs deep, moist, fertile soil. It can grow in sun or light shade. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia, Tibet

How it is used for food

The young stems and leaves can be eaten fresh or stir fried.

It is a popular edible vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or half hard cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Castor aralia, Cilaobao, Eongkae, Eumnamu, Eungkenamu, Hara-giri, Tree aralia

Synonyms

Acanthopanax acerifolius Schelle; Acanthopanax ricinifolius (Siebold & Zucc.) Seem.; Acanthopanax septemlobus (Thunb.) Koidz. ex Rehder; Acer pictum Thunb.; Acer septemlobum Thunberg; Brassaiopsis ricinifolia (Siebold & Zucc.) Seem.; Kalopanax autumnalis Koidz.; Kalopanax pictus (Thunb.) Nakai; Kalopanax ricinifolius (Siebold & Zucc.) Miq.; Kalopanax ricinifolius var. chinense Nakai; Kalopanax ricinifolius var. maximowiczii (Van Houtte) Nakai; Panax ricinifolius Siebold & Zucc.; Tetrapanax ricinifolius (Siebold & Zucc.) K. Koch;