Japanese angelica-tree

(photo courtesy Creative Commons)

species: Aralia elata

common name: Japanese angelica-tree

family: Araliaceae

where & when encountered: Garvies Point, NY - 2018

These striking but invasive trees are said to have displaced their close North American relative, devil's walkingstick (Aralia spinosa). Despite the name, they are native to large cross section of Asia including China, Korea and eastern Russia. In Japan and Korea, the shoots are used for food.