// SPECIES PROFILE · TREE · NATIVE

Devil's Walking Stick

Aralia spinosa

Devil's Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa) is a tree in the Araliaceae family. Native range includes AR, KS, MO, OK. Hardy in zones 5a–9a. Mature size 8'–20'. Blooms Jun–Sep.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: Araliaceae
Group: tree
Native range: Native to 25 U.S. states, including AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA…
USDA hardiness: Zones 5a–9a
Mature size: 8'–20'
Sun: Part shade
Water: High · moisture-loving
Bloom: Jun–Sep
Wildlife value: High — pollinator and wildlife support
Ecological role: dramatic tropical-looking native · pollinator magnet · edible young shoots

Devil's Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa) — *Aralia spinosa* — Devil's Walking Stick. Photo by Eric Hunt via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Devil's Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa) is a tree in the Araliaceae family. Native range includes AR, KS, MO, OK. Hardy in zones 5a–9a. Mature size 8'–20'. Blooms Jun–Sep.

Why it's on this list: dramatic tropical-looking native · pollinator magnet · edible young shoots. Native-range data from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN), cross-checked against iNaturalist observations. Part of Rooted Revival's regional native plant catalog — true natives for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In the same native range, devil's walking stick pairs naturally with: American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).