Castor-Aralia
ExplorePlants
Castor-Aralia
Kalopanax septemlobus
The Castor-Aralia is a tall tree with big, shiny leaves that look like hands! It can grow very tall and is often found in forests, making it a special part of nature.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Castor-Aralia is a striking deciduous tree, known for its very large, deeply lobed leaves resembling a castor bean plant. Its trunk and branches often display sharp, stiff thorns, especially when young. It produces clusters of small, creamy-white flowers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderApialesFamilyAraliaceaeGenusKalopanax
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its genus name, Kalopanax, means "beautiful panacea" – quite a grand title!
The large, umbrella-like leaves can create wonderful shaded spots on sunny days.
The wood of Castor-Aralia is prized for musical instruments and furniture in Asia.
This tree is a relative of the famous Ginseng plant, known for its medicinal uses!
Special abilities
Ability
Thorny Defender
Castor-Aralia has sharp thorns on its trunk and branches that help it defend against browsing animals.
Ability
Super Sprouter
This tree can sprout new growth quickly, helping it recover from damage or outcompete other plants.
Ability
Sun Catcher Leaves
Its very large leaves efficiently capture sunlight, helping the tree grow tall and strong in forests.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1000-3000 cm
- Spread
- 500-1500 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.3-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honeybee
Apis mellifera
Attracted to its nectar-rich summer flowers.
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Feeds on nectar, helping transfer pollen.
eaten by
Sika Deer
Cervus nippon
Young shoots and bark are sometimes browsed.
shelters
Japanese Thrush
Turdus cardis
Nests among its branches for protection.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Giant
Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Stay on paths when exploring forests and don't touch unknown plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Castor-Aralia?
1000-3000 cm
How wide does Castor-Aralia spread?
500-1500 cm
How big are the flowers on Castor-Aralia?
0.3-0.5 cm
When does Castor-Aralia bloom?
Late summer
Is Castor-Aralia edible?
Yes
Is Castor-Aralia toxic?
None
What is Castor-Aralia's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Castor-Aralia pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
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Virginia, US
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Martin Luther King Junior Park
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