Aralia - American Spikenard, Angelica Tree, Bristly Sarsaparilla, Devil's Club, Devil's Walking Stick, Elk Clover, Hercules' Club, Wild Sarsaparilla

(Ara'lia)

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of hardy trees, deciduous shrubs, perennials and a few climbers that are natives of North America, Japan, China and Korea. They are mainly grown for their handsome foliage. A. elata (Japanese Angelica Tree) is often seen growing as a large shrub, but sometimes grows to a small tree. The spiny stems are covered with huge, doubly pinnate leaves, which mainly grow at the ends of stems. They usually turn pretty colors in the autumn. In late summer, panicles of white flowers are produced. A. elata var. Aureovariegata is a large shrub with its leaves edged and splotched with yellow. In late summer, the golden variegation changes to silvery white. A. spinosa (Hercules' Club, Devil's Walking Stick or Devil's Club) is a large shrub or small tree producing thorny stems. The huge leaves, consisting of many leaflets, grow up to 3 feet long and 2 to 2½ feet wide and are alternately arranged on the branches.

POTTING: These plants can be grown in ordinary garden soil.

PROPAGATION: Seeds may be sown or suckers may be detached and potted, in the spring. The special varieties can be increased by grafting on sections of roots or young seedlings of their type, in a warm greenhouse in February or March.

VARIETIES: A. spinosa (Hercules' Club, Devil's Walking Stick, Devil's Club); A. elata (Japanese Angelica Tree) & var. Aureovariegata, Variegata, pyramidalis; A. chinenesis; A. hispida (Bristly Sarsaparilla); A. californica (Elk Clover); A. racemosa (American Spikenard); A. nudicaulis (Wild Sarsaparilla)

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