photo: Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Devil's Walkingstick (Aralia spinosa)
 Cleveland Metroparks |
 Cleveland Metroparks |
 Cleveland Metroparks |
 Cleveland Metroparks |
Form:
A large, few-stemmed shrub, 12-15’ tall which can reach 20'. Each spring it shoots up a tall stem covered with orange prickles.
Leaves:
Enormous, pinnately-divided, spiny leaves at the top of the stem can be 3-4' long and just as wide.
Flowers:
Large clusters of small whitish flowers grow 1-4’ above the leaves.
Fruits & Seeds:
Black fruits on bright pink fruiting stalks crown the plant in fall.
Roots:
Spreads by rhizomes and suckers.
Tier 3 - Presence is of Interest
The species that occur in this tier are likely ornamental escapes. It is not known whether they are established and/or spreading within Cleveland Metroparks. The ecological impact is poorly known for these species.
Action: The presence of these plants should be recorded by approximating the number of plants. Initial population numbers are likely small.
