Plant DetailShow Menu

Kalopanax septemlobus

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Kalopanax pictus
Phonetic Spelling
kal-oh-PA-naks sep-tem-LOH-bus
Description

Castor Aralia is a large flowering shade tree native to eastern Asia and the only large tree in the Aralia (Ivy) family. Under cultivation, a mature tree can reach a height of 60 feet with an equal spread; in the wild, it can reach 100 feet high in cool, moist forest environments. This low maintenance plant has thorns, showy white flowers that bloom in late summer, and black fruits.  The large leaves resemble castor bean. The genus name comes from the Greek word kalos meaning beautiful and Panax, the name of a related genus. The species name means 7 lobes.

Castor Aralia prefers deep, moist, high organic matter and well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. The plant does tolerates light shade and is cold hardy, but does not do well in the hot and humid summers of the deep South. Avoid dry soils.

Young trees are armed with spines that tend to disappear from the trunk and larger branches as the tree matures. The tree is widely cultivated for timber in China.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 

No serious problems, but it can suffer in hot humid summers.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#showy flowers#deciduous#shade tree#white flowers#large tree#slow growing#flowering tree#showy fruits#spines#glossy leaves#deciduous tree#flowers late summer#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#showy flowers#deciduous#shade tree#white flowers#large tree#slow growing#flowering tree#showy fruits#spines#glossy leaves#deciduous tree#flowers late summer#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Kalopanax
    Species:
    septemlobus
    Family:
    Araliaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The bark and the leaves are used as an insecticide.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Russian Far East to China and Eastern Asia
    Distribution:
    Introduced into New York.
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds enjoy fruits.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Oval
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Appendage:
    Spines
    Thorns
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Description:
    Tiny black fruits in compound clusters ripen in fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Profuse terminal, umbel-like panicles of tiny white flowers appear in July and August.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmasect
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green glossy toothed palmate leaves up to 14 inches wide with 5 to 7 lobes. The large leaves resemble castor beans. Leaves turn dull yellow to red in fall, but are not particularly showy.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Ridges
    Bark Description:
    Mature bark is ridged, furrowed and dark gray.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns