Hercule's Club, Aralia spinosa, American Angelica Tree, Hercules' Club, Devil's Walking Stick

Aralia spinosa

Physical Characteristics

Aralia spinosa is a deciduous Tree growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

South-eastern N. America - New York to Florida, east to Texas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Young leaves - cooked[105, 177]. The leaves usually have a number of slender prickles, they must be gathered before the prickles harden[159] and are then chopped finely and used as a potherb[183].

Medicinal Uses

Alterative Analgesic Diaphoretic Ophthalmic Sialagogue Stimulant Analgesic[46, 61]. The bark, especially of the roots[82] is the part most commonly used medicinally, though other parts of the plant, including the fruit[82], also possess medicinal properties[4]. The fresh bark is strongly emetic, ophthalmic, purgative and sialagogue[4, 46, 61, 222, 257], when dried it is a stimulating alterative and is diaphoretic[82]. A tincture of the berries is used in the treatment of toothache and rheumatism[4, 222, 257]. A poultice of the roots is applied to boils, skin eruptions, varicose veins, old sores and swellings[222, 257]. A cold infusion of the roots is used as drops for sore eyes[257].

Known Hazards

Handling the roots can cause dermatitis in some people[222]. Large amounts of the berries are poisonous[222].