ARALIA ELATA

Aralia elata - Japanese Angelica Tree

Commonly known as the 'Japanese Angelica Tree, Aralia elata is a considered to be either a tall, suckering shrub or small, sparsely-branched tree.

Native to Japan, China, S. Sakhalin, and S. Korea, it was introduced to western science in approximately 1830, and first named as Aralia grandis in 1840 by the Dutch botanist Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel (1811–1871). The name Aralia elata var. elata is now the accepted name, as described by German botanist Berthold Carl Seemann (1825–1871).

Aralia elata - Japanese Angelica Tree

Under favourable conditions, you can expect Aralia elata to growing up to 10 m in height. The bark is rough and gray with prickles, while the large, double-pinnate leaves are approximately 60–120 cm long. The leaves are gathered mainly in a ruff-like arrangement towards the tips of the stems and will often turn an attractive pale-yellow to reddish-purple colour in the autumn.

The small, white flowers appear in late summer and are produced in large umbels. The subsequent fruit is a small black drupe (stone fruit).

Aralia elata will perform best in deep loamy soils, in partial shade, however it will grow in poorer soils and in full sun. Provide a sheltered position away from strong winds to prevent damage to the leaves.

Despite its exotic appearance, Aralia elata is both tolerate of drought and many urban pollutants.

Be aware that handling bark and roots can cause allergic skin reactions.

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ARALIA ELATA