Practical
Plants

Aralia chinensis

Chinese Angelica Tree

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Aralia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
3.5 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The bark is considered to be slightly poisonous[10].

Edible uses

Young shoots - cooked[12][13][2][7]. Used as a vegetable[9]. Blanched and used in salads[4]. Although no records of edibility have been seen for the seed, it is said to contain 5.8 - 17.5% protein, 4.2 - 46.3% fat and 3.7 - 5.7% ash[10].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The stem and root are anodyne and carminative[6][10]. It is used as a warming painkilling herb in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis[11]. The root is also considered to be useful in the treatment of diabetes and dysmenorrhoea[10]. Some caution is advised since the bark is considered to be slightly poisonous[10]. The stembark is diuretic and sialagogue[10].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Sialagogue

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China
Habitat
Forests on rich well moistened soil[14].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 - 5 months of cold stratification. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 4 months at 20°c[5]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Once the plants are 25cm or more tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions, late spring or early summer being the best time to do this. Root cuttings 8cm long, December in a cold frame[3][15]. Store the roots upside down in sand and pot up in March/April. High percentage[15]. Division of suckers in late winter[3]. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.

Cultivation

Prefers a good deep loam and a semi-shady position[1][3][8]. Requires a sheltered position[1]. Plants are hardier when grown in poorer soils[8]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. This species is closely allied to A. elata[3]. A very ornamental plant[1][3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00

    ↩

  5. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  6. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  7. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  9. Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-4781-4

    ↩

  10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  12. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  14. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

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  15. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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