Aralia is a genus of approximately 68 accepted species of flowering plants in the family Araliaceae, order Apiales. The genus encompasses deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, and rhizomatous herbaceous perennials, displaying remarkable variety in stature: some herbaceous species barely reach 50 centimetres, while tree-form members can attain 20 metres. The common name spikenard is applied to the genus in English.
All species share a characteristic silhouette of large bipinnate (doubly compound) leaves massed at the tips of stems or branches, giving plants a bold, tropical appearance. Flowers are small, whitish or greenish, and borne in broad terminal panicles. Most species produce spherical, dark purple berry-like fruits that are eaten by birds and other wildlife.
Many species bear prickles on their stems and leaf stalks — a feature most pronounced in the North American Aralia spinosa (devil's walking stick) and the Asian Aralia elata. The foliage supports lepidopteran larvae including the common emerald moth.
Aralia is native to Asia and the Americas, growing naturally in mountain woodland habitats on rich, moist soils, often in semi-shade. Several species, notably the Japanese Aralia cordata (udo), are cultivated as food plants, while others — particularly Aralia elata and Aralia spinosa — are grown as ornamental specimens for their dramatic foliage and large flower clusters. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, and several former members (including Fatsia, Schefflera, and Panax) have been reclassified into separate genera.
Etymology
The name Aralia derives from classical botanical Latin as formalised by Linnaeus; the precise pre-Linnaean origin is uncertain. The genus is commonly called spikenard in English, a name shared with unrelated plants but historically attached to aromatic roots used in perfumery and medicine.
Distribution
Aralia is native to Asia and the Americas. The Asian range covers East and Southeast Asia, with species such as Aralia cordata and Aralia elata centred in China, Japan, and Korea. North American representatives, including Aralia spinosa and Aralia racemosa, occur principally in the eastern United States. The genus gravitates toward mountain woodland habitats throughout its range.
Fossil evidence indicates that Aralia had a much wider geographic footprint in the past: pollen and leaf impressions attributable to the genus have been found in Miocene through Pliocene deposits across Europe and Asia, suggesting the genus was displaced from Europe during later climatic cooling.
Taxonomy
Aralia was established by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 (authority: L.) and belongs to the family Araliaceae, order Apiales, class Magnoliopsida. The type species is Aralia racemosa. The genus as currently circumscribed comprises approximately 68 accepted species, though GBIF records over 200 descendant taxa when synonyms and infraspecific entities are included.
The circumscription of Aralia has changed substantially through time. Several genera formerly sunk into or associated with Aralia — including Fatsia, Schefflera, and Panax — have been separated out again under modern molecular-phylogenetic revision. These reclassifications affect the count of accepted species and the placement of cultivated taxa familiar to gardeners.
Ecology
Aralia species are woodland plants, growing on rich, moist soils in forest understories and forest margins, often in semi-shaded positions. They tolerate various soil types but perform best where moisture is consistently available; they may be damaged by early morning frost exposure after cold nights.
The dark berry-like fruits are eaten and dispersed by birds. Foliage provides larval food for lepidopteran insects, including the common emerald moth (Hemithea aestivaria). Species with prickly stems — notably Aralia spinosa and Aralia elata — also provide structural refuge for small animals.
Cultivation
Several Aralia species are cultivated as ornamentals valued for bold, architectural foliage and large flower panicles. Aralia elata (Japanese angelica tree) is the most widely grown in temperate gardens; Aralia spinosa (devil's walking stick) is the North American equivalent, though its dense prickles limit popularity in managed settings. Both perform well in urban conditions and are considered slow-growing but tough.
In cultivation, Aralia species prefer positions in semi-shade on moist, fertile soils. They are generally hardy in cool-temperate climates. Aralia spinosa was introduced into Western cultivation as early as 1688.
Propagation
Aralia can be propagated by seed, root cuttings, or division of suckers. Seeds require an extended cold-stratification period of three to five months before germination will occur, and are best sown in a cold frame. Root cuttings taken in December achieve high success rates. The easiest method for most species is division of root suckers in late winter, before new growth begins.
Cultural Uses
Several Aralia species have a long history of use as food and medicine in East Asia. Aralia cordata (udo) is cultivated in Japan as a vegetable; its young shoots are eaten raw in salads after blanching, or prepared as cooked vegetables. The species has a modest edibility rating and its shoots contain protein and fat in small quantities.
Medicinally, the stem and root of various Aralia species have been used in traditional East Asian medicine as anodyne (pain-relieving) and carminative (digestive) agents. Root preparations have been applied to rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and menstrual disorders. Caution is warranted: the bark of some species is considered slightly toxic, and medicinal use should be guided by qualified practitioners.
