Devils-Walkingstick | Arboretum | SIU

This tree is one of the 150 trees initially included in the arboretum to coincide with the campus's 150th anniversary celebration.

Scientific Name:
Aralia spinosa

Cultivar:

Native to:
Southern Pennsylvania, southern Indiana, eastern Iowa to Florida and east Texas

Mature Height and Width:
10-20 feet by 6-10 feet, can reach 30-40 feet high

Additional Notes:
The only true native of our deciduous forests included in the Marberry Selection, Devil’s walkingstick can be found in local forests, often growing in clump.  While not proven scientifically, personal observation suggests that this species tends to grow on uneven terrain exactly where unwary hikers and bushwhackers are absent-mindedly reaching for a convenient handhold.  Although not nearly as treacherous as honey locust thorns, the spines will get your attention.

Photos