Japanese Angelica Tree, Angelica Tree

Aralia elata

Basic Information

Family: Araliaceae

Genus: aralia

Plant ID (slug): aralia-elata

Numeric ID: 19490

USDA Hardiness: 4-9

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Aralia elata is a deciduous Tree growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Young shoots - cooked[177, 200]. They can also be blanched and used in salads. The young shoots of Aralia elata are a popular wild food in Japan where the tree is known as Taranoki and the shoots as Taranome. In Korea the shoots are called dureup.

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Cancer Carminative The roots and stems are anodyne and carminative[147]. All parts of the plant are used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthralgia, coughs, diabetes, jaundice, stomach ulcers and stomach cancers[147, 218].