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American Angelica-tree

Aralia spinosa

Last reviewed: September 2026

Aralia spinosa, also called devil's walking stick, is a spiny deciduous tree with huge compound leaves and creamy white flower clusters that open from July into September.

American Angelica-tree (Aralia spinosa)
Photo: (c) Will Kuhn, some rights reserved (CC BY)

American Angelica-tree is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

American Angelica-tree is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

240"–480" H × 120"–240" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 19 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Western Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsPiedmontEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal PlainAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

American angelica-tree is a small native tree with tropical-looking compound leaves and distinctive spiny stems. It produces large clusters of white flowers in summer followed by dark berries, creating a bold architectural presence in the landscape.

Growing American Angelica-tree

Grow American Angelica-tree in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 240 to 480 inches tall and spread 120 to 240 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

American Angelica-tree takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Sharp thorns on stems pose safety concerns
  • Suckers aggressively and can look unkempt
  • Unusual appearance may be considered too wild for formal landscapes

Wildlife value

Host plant for luna moth.

The abundant summer flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles, while the berries provide food for birds. This tree serves as a host plant for several native moth species.

Common questions

How big does Aralia spinosa get?
Aralia spinosa usually grows as a small tree or large shrub, often reaching 10 to 20 feet with a few thick, spiny stems and very large compound leaves that can span two feet or more.
When does Aralia spinosa bloom and what pollinates it?
It blooms from July through September, producing large branched clusters of small white flowers that draw bees, butterflies, and beetles.
What light and water conditions does Aralia spinosa prefer?
It grows best in part sun with medium moisture, but it tolerates conditions from full sun to part shade and from consistently moist soil to drier, disturbed sites.
Does Aralia spinosa spread aggressively?
Yes, it often forms colonies by root suckering, so it can spread into thickets over time, especially along woodland edges and disturbed ground.
What kind of habitat suits Aralia spinosa?
It is commonly found along forest edges, fence rows, clearings, and streambanks in warm temperate climates, where it takes advantage of open, sunny gaps.
Is American Angelica-tree toxic to dogs?
Yes. American Angelica-tree is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is American Angelica-tree toxic to cats?
Yes. American Angelica-tree is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is American Angelica-tree toxic to livestock?
American Angelica-tree is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
Is American Angelica-tree HOA-friendly?
American Angelica-tree takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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