If you’ve been reading this blog for a stretch, you’ll probably guess the family Araliaceae, the Aralia family, is one that’s close to my heart. I’ve been enamored of the genus Aralia since I was but a wee plantsman, and since I’ve given myself over to the trade, the fascination has connected me with people and opportunities I’d have never imagined. Aralia lovers unite!
So there aren’t many plants in Araliaceae you’d necessarily know or love, but it’s important to note the family’s close relationship with Apiaceae, the umbellifers, and consider that. Think of a big fat flowerhead of Queen Anne’s lace, and then take a look at the individual little bits of this big fat flowerhead of Aralia spinosa. Similar, eh?
Besides the genus Aralia, my favorite, Araliaceae includes a few other plants commonly referred to as aralias, even if they’re not Aralias, like Eleutherococcus, or five-fingered aralia, and Fatsia, or Japanese aralia, as well as Kalopanax, the castor aralia. It also includes rice paper plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer), which I’ve talked about here, and ubiquitous office plant Schefflera.
More surprisingly is that the family includes ginseng (Panax spp.), that ever-popular herbal supplement, and all its variants.
MOST surpisingly? English ivy. Yes, dear Hedera helix is actually an aralia. Keep that in mind when you plant it, because many other Araliaceae members are formidable lianas, the kind Tarzan might swing from, and ivy at its worst isn’t far off from that.
Castor Aralia (Kalopanax septemlobus) - at last, I’ve found an admirer! I agree with you - it’s a pretty cool tree, but look - don’t touch - at least in youth. However, it’s true - those formidable thorns on their trunks do go away with age. I have four growing in my little nursery, and we fondly refer to them as “the danger trees.” I’m writing to ask if you know of any good specimens growing in arboretums or landscapes. What’s your experience with this unusual tree?
@Nancy: YES! I LOVE this tree! I see you’re in Oregon, but I know there are some good specimens around here: Arnold Arboretum, which probably comes as no surprise, and the place I got mine, Sedgwick Gardens at Long Hill in Beverly, Mass. It’s an interesting public garden that does a great plant sale every year.
Kalopanax does tend to be aggressive here, and you find seedlings hither and yon whenever there’s a large tree around, but it’s not listed as an invasive species, so I think it’s okay as long as it’s planted bearing that in mind. As a tree lover, you might be a bit chagrined to hear this, but I’m going to try coppicing mine. I love those giant leaves and thorns on the young’uns! I’ve heard it can be done, and I’m planning to report back next on whether it works, so stay tuned.
Thanks for reading and commenting!