Aralia elata

Aralia elata, also known as the Japanese angelica tree,<ref name = RHSPF>Template:Cite web</ref> Chinese angelica-tree,<ref name="GRIN">Template:GRIN</ref> or Korean angelica-tree,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> is a species of woody plant in the family Araliaceae native to eastern Asia (in Russia, China, Taiwan, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan).

Description

It is an upright deciduous small tree or shrub growing up to Template:Convert in height.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The bark is rough and gray with prickles. The leaves are alternate, large, 60–120 cm long, and double pinnate. The flowers are produced in large umbels in late summer, each flower small and white. The fruit is a small black drupe.

Aralia elata is closely related to the American species Aralia spinosa, with which it is easily confused. A. elata can be differentiated by having its inflorescence on a horizontal axis.

Cultivation

Aralia elata is cultivated, often in a variegated form, for its exotic appearance. It prefers deep loamy soils in partial shade, but will grow in poorer soils and in full sun. The cultivars 'Variegata'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and 'Aureovariegata'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Culinary uses

Japan

In Japan, the shoots are eaten in the spring. They are picked from the end of the branches and are commonly fried in a tempura batter.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> They can also be blanched or stir fried, among other methods.

Korea

In Korea, young shoots are harvested during a month, from early April to early May, when they are soft and fragrant. In Korean cuisine, the shoots are commonly eaten blanched, pickled, pan-fried, or deep-fried.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

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  Blanched angelica-tree shoot
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  Angelica-tree shoot fritter and glutinous rice pancake
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  Pan-fried angelica-tree shoot and eggplant
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  Pan-fried angelica-tree shoot
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  Mullet and angelica-tree shoot salad with soybean paste and mayonnaise dressing

Invasive species

Aralia elata in the vicinity of Philadelphia, PA.

The tree was introduced into the United States in 1830. Birds like to eat the fruits, and are spreading its seeds, allowing the tree to expand its range as an invasive species in the northeastern United States.<ref>U.S. Dept. of Agriculture: Map of distribution in U.S. and Canada</ref>