Aralia elata

The Japanese angelica-tree is in the ivy or Araliaceae family and is an upright small deciduous tree native to eastern Russia, China, Korea, and Japan and growing up to 10 m tall.

Aralia elata is closely related to the American species A. spinosa, with which it is easily confused.

• Leaves are alternate, large, 60–120 cm long, and double pinnate.
• Flowers are produced in large numbers in late summer, each flower small and white.
• Fruit is a small black drupe.
• Bark is rough and gray with spines.