Common Name: devil's walkingstickScientific Name: Aralia spinosa L.Family Name: Araliaceae - Aralia FamilyIdentification NotesLife Cycleintroduced perennial, reproducing by seed and rhizomes Stemsupright, shrub or small tree, stout, ash gray to tan, smooth, spined or prickled, stem usually unbranched until first inflorescence, appear somewhat flat-topped, leaf scars U-shaged and lined with spines Leavesalternate, bi- or tri-pinnately compound, large, green to blue-green above and paler below; leaflets sessile to very short stalked, oval, toothed, tapering to a point; midvein and rachis with scattered prickles; most often near top of stem Flowers5-petaled, white to cream white, very small, reflexed; clusters large, panicle of umbels Fruitdrupe, round, green to purple or black when mature, stems of fruit clusters red