Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
This page looks better in the app
picturethis icon
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Continue Reading
Devil's walking stick

How to identify Devil's walking stick (Aralia spinosa)

Devil's walking stick, also known as Prickly ash, Hercules's club, Shot bush, Virginian angelica

Devil's walking stick is a deciduous shrub that can grow into a small tree, reaching heights of 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) and occasionally up to 35 feet (10.7 meters). It features large, compound leaves that are reportedly the largest in North America, and these are supported on stems and branches with stout, sharp spines. The plant has an upright growth habit with mostly unbranched, club-like branches adorned with pronounced leaf scars. The canopy presents an umbrella-like appearance, with the branches spreading at nearly right angles to support the massive foliage.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Devil's walking stick

1

Largest leaves in North America, 2-5 feet (60-150 cm) long, bipinnate to tripinnate.

2

Creamy white flowers, 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) across, in large clusters, attractive to bees.

3

Purple-black spherical drupes, 0.2 inches (5 mm) diameter, favored by birds.

4

Distinctive gray-brown bark with multipronged spines, shallow furrows, rugged texture.

5

Upright growth, club-like branches, umbrella-like canopy, pronounced leaf scars.

Devil's walking stickDevil's walking stickDevil's walking stickDevil's walking stickDevil's walking stick

Detailed Traits of Devil's walking stick

Leaf Features

Devil's walking stick has alternate, compound, bipinnate to tripinnate leaves that are medium to dark green. Measuring 2-5 feet (60-150 cm) long and 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) wide, they feature individual leaflets 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long with toothed margins. The new foliage is bronze and transitions to pale yellow, dull purple brown, or yellow to red-orange in fall. The plant's leaves are also characterized by conspicuous leaf scars and spines.

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Learn About the Leaf Glossary
Group
Flower Features

The flowers of devil's walking stick are quite showy and bloom from June to September. They are creamy white, small, and measure about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) across. Each flower has five petals arranged in a star-like shape. They are gathered in large, terminal clusters that can extend up to 3-4 feet (91-122 cm) in length, forming umbellose panicles about 24 inches (61 cm) long. The blooms are very attractive to bees, due to their scent and floral structure.

Devil's walking stick Flower image
Learn About the Flower Glossary
Group
Fruit Features

The fruit of devil's walking stick is a striking feature, consisting of compact clusters of spherical drupes, each measuring approximately 0.2 inches (5 mm) in diameter. These drupes exhibit a rich purple-black hue when they mature from late July to October. The surface of the fruit is fleshy with a smooth texture. These fruits are not only visually appealing but also serve as a favored food source for various birds, underscoring their ecological role within their native habitat.

Devil's walking stick Fruit image
Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
Icon code

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them
Img topic
Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Img topic
Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Img topic
Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Img topic
Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Img topic
Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Img topic
Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Identify Devil's walking stick easily and quickly
We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.
Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Devil's walking stick

Attributes of Devil's walking stick
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Shrub
Plant Height
2 m to 8 m
Flower Color
White
Fruit Color
Black
Purple
Lavender
Stem Color
Orange
Leaf type
Deciduous
The Toxicity of Devil's walking stick
Identify plants with a snap
Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.
Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Devil's walking stick

Family
Ivy
Icon allow
Species
Devil's walking stick (Aralia spinosa)
Learn More About the Devil's walking stick
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app