Aralia spinosa aka American Angelica Tree

Aralia spinosa is known as devil's walking stick or Hercules' club. This deciduous shrub belongs to the Araliaceae family. It comes from the central and eastern United States. It grows along woodland edges, streams, fields, and wooded slopes. Root sprouts form groups of upright stems and dense thickets. Garden plants reach 10–20 feet (3–6.1 m) tall. They spread 6–10 feet (1.8–3.05 m) wide. Some become small trees reaching 35 feet (10.7 m).

The thick stems bear sharp prickles and large leaf scars. Gray-brown bark has shallow grooves and lasting prickles. Branches have few side shoots, leaving the lower stems bare. Huge leaves form a broad crown above them. Each leaf divides twice or three times into toothed leaflets. Leaves reach 2–5 feet (0.6–1.5 m) in length. Their width reaches 2–4 feet (0.6–1.2 m). New leaves look bronze, then turn green as they age. Fall shades vary from yellow to purple-brown or orange-red. Fall color can be uneven from year to year.

Small white flowers gather in large panicles at stem tips. Most bloom in July and August. Reports also place flowering between June and September. Bees, butterflies, and other insects visit them for nectar. Round, fleshy drupes follow and turn purple-black as they ripen. Fruit can ripen from late July into October. Birds and small mammals feed on the fruit. The leaves, blooms, fruit, and bare spiny stems add seasonal interest. Woodland margins and quiet borders offer room for its spreading growth. Its prickles make busy paths a poor setting.

Grow it in sun or partial shade with good drainage. It prefers moist, rich loam but accepts clay and rocky ground. It tolerates drought, city pollution, and damage from deer. Shelter from strong winds helps protect the large leaves. It grows slowly and needs little routine care. It suits USDA hardiness zones 4–9. Seeds, root cuttings, and divided suckers provide new plants. Remove unwanted suckers to limit its spread. Serious pest and disease trouble is rare. Leaf spots, aphids, and mealybugs can still occur.

Young leaves have a recorded use as a cooked vegetable. They require harvest before their prickles become hard. This use does not make the whole plant safe to eat. Sources warn against berries, with unripe fruit posing a risk. Bark and roots can cause skin reactions. Swallowing toxic parts can cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. The plant is also toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Records describe traditional medicinal uses of bark, roots, and fruit. Its weak, brittle wood has little practical value.