Aralia
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Aralia is a genus of the plant family Araliaceae, consisting of about 40 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, and some rhizomatous herbaceous perennials. The genus is native to Asia and the Americas, with most species occurring in mountain woodlands. The species vary in size, with some herbaceous species only reaching 50 cm tall, while some are trees growing to 20 m tall.
Aralia species have large bipinnate leaves clustered at the ends of branches, sometimes covered with bristles. The flowers are whitish or greenish occurring in terminal panicles, and the spherical dark purple berry-like fruit are popular with birds.
Aralia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Common Emerald.
- Species
- Aralia cachemirica
- Aralia californica California Aralia or Elk-clover
- Aralia chinensis, Chinese angelica tree, also referred to as A. sinensis
- Aralia continentalis
- Aralia cordata Udo or Japanese Spikenard
- Aralia elata Japanese Angelica-tree
- Aralia hispida
- Aralia nudicaulis
- Aralia racemosa American Spikenard
- Aralia schmidtii
- Aralia spinosa Hercules' Club, Devil's Walking-stick
- Aralia stipulata
- Aralia tomentella
- Aralia warmingiana
Some species formerly classified as Aralia are now treated in the genera Dendropanax, Fatsia, Oreopanax, Polyscias, Schefflera, and Tetrapanax.
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