Japanese Angelica Tree: Bold Foliage & Architectural Spines

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• Family:	Araliaceae
  Genus:	Aralia (uh-RAY-lee-uh) (Info)
  Species:	elata (el-AH-tuh) (Info)

Overview

The Japanese Angelica Tree (Aralia elata), also called Japanese Aralia or Angelica Tree, is a striking, fast-growing deciduous large shrub or small tree native to Japan, Korea, and eastern Russia. It commands attention with its enormous, tropical-looking bipinnate leaves, formidable spiny stems, and late-summer clouds of white flowers followed by black fruit.

Dramatic Foliage & Armed Architecture

The leaves are the showstopper: bipinnately compound, reaching 2–4 feet in length, composed of dozens of ovate, serrated leaflets. They create a lush, ferny, almost prehistoric canopy that casts deep shade. The stems are heavily armed with stout, sharp spines—especially prominent on young growth and suckers—giving the plant a defensive, architectural presence. In fall, the foliage often turns a clear, bright yellow.

Flowers, Fruit & Colony Formation

In late summer (August–September), when few trees bloom, large terminal panicles (up to 18 inches) of tiny white flowers appear, attracting a frenzy of pollinators. These give way to small, fleshy, black drupes in autumn, relished by birds. Aralia elata spreads aggressively via root suckers, forming dense, spiny thickets. This colonizing habit makes it excellent for naturalizing, erosion control, or wild gardens but requires management (root barriers, mowing) in formal settings.

Culture & Uses

Hardy in USDA Zones 4–8, it thrives in full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained, fertile soil. It tolerates urban conditions and clay. The young shoots (udo) are a prized spring vegetable in Japan (blanched, tempura, kinpira). Medicinally, the root is used in traditional Asian medicine. Cultivars include 'Variegata' (cream-edged leaves) and 'Aureovariegata' (gold-splashed). A bold, textural plant for the back of the border, woodland edge, or large container—handle with gloves and respect its suckering nature.