Devil’s Walkingstick
(Aralia spinosa)
Devil’s Walkingstick (Aralia spinosa)
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Scott Allen Davis
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Scott Allen Davis
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Scott Allen Davis | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Scott Allen Davis | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-07-08T19:18:57-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Aralia spinosa, commonly known as Devil’s Walkingstick, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to the understory of deciduous forests in the Eastern United States, particularly thriving in moist, fertile soils along streams and in forest clearings. It can grow to a height of 2–8 m (7–26 ft) with a single or occasionally branched stem and features very large bipinnate leaves 70–120 cm (30–45 in) long. The trunk can reach up to 15–20 cm (6–8 in) in diameter. The plant has an umbrella-like form with open crowns. Its flowers are creamy-white, small (about 5 mm or 3⁄16 in across) but borne in large composite panicles 30–60 cm (12–24 in) long, blooming in late summer. The flowers are moderately showy due to their size and form large clusters. In autumn, the foliage turns a distinctive bronze-red touched with yellow, providing seasonal interest.
Devil’s Walkingstick is noted for its bold foliage and striking fall color, making it a unique specimen in gardens. It is used for naturalistic plantings and as an accent in larger landscapes. The plant’s preference for deep, moist soil should be considered when planting, and it performs well in full sun to part shade. It requires high amounts of water and can adapt to various soil drainage conditions. While it is not commonly afflicted by serious disease or pest problems, its spiny stems can make handling difficult, and it may self-seed aggressively in optimal growing conditions. Gardeners should be aware of its potential to spread if not managed.CC BY-SA 4.0
Devil’s Walkingstick is noted for its bold foliage and striking fall color, making it a unique specimen in gardens. It is used for naturalistic plantings and as an accent in larger landscapes. The plant’s preference for deep, moist soil should be considered when planting, and it performs well in full sun to part shade. It requires high amounts of water and can adapt to various soil drainage conditions. While it is not commonly afflicted by serious disease or pest problems, its spiny stems can make handling difficult, and it may self-seed aggressively in optimal growing conditions. Gardeners should be aware of its potential to spread if not managed.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
- Height: 10-20 feet
- Width: 6-10 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Understory of deciduous forests, moist fertile soils along streams, and forest clearings
Other Names
Common Names: Prickly Elder , Hercules’ Club , Prickly Ash , Angelica Tree , Devils Walkingstick , Herkuleskeule , Angélique Épineuse , Angélique En Arbre , Aralie Épineuse , Bâton Du Diable , Taggaralia
Scientific Names: Aralia spinosa , Aralia spinosa f. subinermis , Aralia georgica , Aralia leroana , Aralia spinosa var. glabra , Aralia spinosa var. inermis , Aralia spinosa var. subinermis , Chaerophyllum arborescens
GBIF Accepted Name: Aralia spinosa L.