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Characteristics
 Family-
Araliaceae--The Ginseng Family
- Origin
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Native NC
- Plant Description
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Deciduous large shrub to medium tree to 20 to 30 feet in height; leaves alternate, 2-3 times pinnately compound; twigs stout, with sharp prickles; flowersJuly-August, cream colored, in a loose cluster at the end of the branches; fruits maturing early fall, purplish black, fleshy.
- Ornamental Characteristics
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Coarse, prickly stems considered "grotesquely beautiful" and provide sturctural interest; large clusters of cream colored flowers ornamental, clusters of purplish fruits very attractive and provide good food for birds.
- Landscape Use
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In the landscape it makes a bold appearance, interestlng in flower and fruit. As a small specimen tree, in the shrub border or at the edge of forested areas. Root sprouts form a small, attractive colony.
- Horticultural Cultivars
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None.
- Availability/Propagation
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Probably not found in nurseries, dig from the wild (with permission), propagate from seed sown outdoors in fall or suckers and root cuttings.
- Culture
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Widely adaptible, grows best in moist, well drained soils in full sun to partial shade.
- Coastal Ecology
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Aralia spinosa is an understory component of the oak and pine maritime forests on dry, protected dunes and along wetland margins. It is shade tolerant but not tolerant of frontal dunes conditions. New residents often remove Devil's-walkingstick from their property because of its spiny nature, but later regret destroying this interesting ornamental plant.
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