Leaflet of Aralia spinosa . Photo by Amy Williams. The stems and bi-tripinnately compound leaves of Aralia spinosa are covered with numerous prickles. SEM of the adaxial surface of a leaflet of Aralia spinosa .
Arrowheads indicate prickles, while numbers indicate vein orders.
SEMs of the leaflets surfaces of Aralia spinosa . Adaxial surface lacking stomata. Sections through Aralia spinosa prickles. Note the lack of vasculature in the prickle. Prickle density on the adaxial and abaxial leaflet surfaces was positively correlated, with prickle density highest on the adaxial surface.