Aralia californica

The California angelica-tree or elk clover is in the ivy or Araliaceae family and is distributed throughout western and central California and into Oregon. It is a deciduous, herbaceous, perennial plant growing to a height of 2–3 m on stems which are thick but not woody.

• Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound tri-pinnately compound, 1–2 m long and 1 m broad, the leaflets 15–30 cm long and 7–15 cm broad. The leaflets are arranged opposite with an odd terminal leaflet.
• The greenish white flowers are produced in large compound racemes of umbels 30–45 cm in diameter at the stem apex; each flower is 2–3 mm in diameter.
• Fruit is a drupe, 3–5 mm across, dark purple or black, each berry containing 3–5 seeds.