Hercules's-Club Aralia spinosa

Aralia spinosa, commonly called devil’s walking stick or Hercules club, gets its common name from the stout, sharp spines found on its leaf stalks, stems and branches. This is a large, upright, suckering, deciduous shrub that typically grows to 10-15’ tall, but infrequently grows as a small flat topped tree to as much as 35’ tall. In its native range in the eastern U.S., it is commonly found in wood margins, fields and pastures as well as a forest or natural area at edge of woods or along streams in moist woods. It has interesting compound foliage, late summer flowers, juicy black fruit and spiny stems give this shrub distinctive and unique ornamental interest. Sparse, upright, mostly unbranched, club-like branches, ringed with conspicuous leaf scars and spines, these plants are typically naked at the bottom but crowned at the top by umbrella-like canopies of huge compound leaves.

It has stiff branches at right angles and huge, compound leaves that are the largest in North America. This plant is easy to transplant and makes an excellent addition to a pollinator garden.

Growth rate: Slow to moderate

Site: The Devil's walking stick grows well in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It prefers moist, fertile, humusy loams, but will tolerate a wide range of soils including rocky and clayey ones. This plant is drought tolerate. Generally tolerates many urban pollutants. It is best sited in areas sheltered from strong winds to help protect the large compound leaves. It is also easily grown from seed, division of suckers or root cuttings. Plants will spread somewhat rapidly by self-seeding and suckering to form thickets. Promptly remove root suckers to prevent unwanted naturalization.

Regions:  Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plains

Seasons of Interest: 

  Blooms:   Late summer           Nut/Fruit/Seed:  Fall

Wildlife Value:  This plant is highly resistant to damage from deer.  Butterflies and other insects nectar at the blooms of this plant.  Its fruit is eaten by songbirds, small mammals, foxes, racoons and opossums.  

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  This plant has no serious insect or disease problems, however, it is susceptible to leaf spots. Aphids and mealybugs may appear. Handling its bark and roots may cause allergic skin reactions.