Araliaceae Leaves are bi- or tripinnately compound, alternate, toothed, and deciduous with spiny petioles and a spiny rachis. Twigs are stout with sharp prickles surrounding U-shaped leaf scars. Bark is brown and rough. Flowers are showy with a green-white hue and very noticeable in summer.
Fruit is a black juicy drupe.
Intolerant of shade. Click on photo to enlarge. All text and photographs are intended for educational purposes only and are not for commercial use in any form. 1999, all rights reserved. Photographs by Mike Hogan or Todd Langston.