Eastern Forest Threat Center - Japanese Angelica Tree

Search Again

State Information

Select a state,
then click a link.


County/Parish Information

Select a county,
then click a link.


Japanese angelica tree leaflets

Japanese angelica tree leaflets

© John Randall, The Nature Conservancy

Japanese Angelica Tree
Aralia elata

Japanese angelica tree is native to Japan, Korea, Manchuria, and the Russian Far East.

Keywords: Araliaceae, deciduous, shrub, tree, thick stems, prickles, large leaf scars, spines, cream white flowers, suckers; Common names: Hercules club

Distribution Map Distribution Source Image

Threat Description

Japanese angelica tree is an upright deciduous shrub or tree that reaches a height of 20 to 40 ft. and width of 15 to 30 ft. It has an irregular, spreading, multi-stemmed form. Coarse, thick stems have sharp prickles and prominent large leaf scars. The stems are covered in spines. Large dark green alternate leaves are 2 to 4 ft. long and are bi- or tri-pinnately compound. Leaves are pubescent beneath, with veins running to the ends of the serrations. In fall, leaves turn yellow to reddish purple and may drop early in season. Cream white flowers grow in large panicles and bloom in late summer (July-August). The inflorescence branches from the base. Flowers produce small purple to black berries, taken by birds or dropped early. Japanese angelica tree suckers from the base and spreads. This rapid growing plant can grow in a range of soil types but prefers moist, well drained soil and sunny or partially shaded locations. Its luxuriant foliage casts dense shade, which might suppress more desirable lower growing plants.