Is this an Aralia spinosa?

This plant's growing in my yard; I took these pics earlier this fall.

It's about 1' wide and 4" high. (Edited to say that it was a little taller until I dropped a big shovel on it.)

The spines on the stems, toothed leaflets and pinnate leaves seem to fit with Aralia spinosa. I don't know what those weird white things sticking up from the leaflets are; I didn't notice them until I looked at the photos.

Sally, I came across your article on A. spinosa, and I'm glad I did!
I'll have to think carefully about what to do with this volunteer if it is a "devil".

This message was edited Nov 27, 2014 11:35 PM

Yes - that's Aralia spinosa.

Thanks, VV.
I've never had so many volunteers in my yard before. I attribute to the greatly increased amount of sun the area gets since I had a tree cut down a year ago.
It's kind of nice, but I'm beginning to think I could open up a nursery!

Do you have any of this species in your neighborhood/adjoining woodlands?

Not that I've noticed and, after looking at more photos of it online, I'm sure it would have grabbed my attention. It definitely is not your run-of-the-mill shrub/tree.

If the birds haven't eaten them all, any A. spinosa in the woods should have berries, so I'll try to spot some.

Once I became aware of it, I have noticed it often in the woods around me. I'm not sure berries will be left.
Such an awesome plant for bees and wasps.

I recall your saying the suckers are easy to pull up. Did you dig up any of your A. spinosa's offspring? I'm wondering whether I could get a decent amount of roots if I dig it up.

It is growing within feet of where I planted my Lindera benzoin so I want to move it. It would blend in well with my Sambucus canadensis shrubs, but after reading about your experience with the suckers it produces, I might plant it in the woods instead.

I just don't have specific recollections about the roots, other than thinking it's what you'd expect from root suckers- sorry. The one I moved had thick fleshy sort of roots.

I planted an a. spinosa in the woods about 10yrs ago. Other than the vicious thorns, seemed harmless enough initially, but I'm beginning to be more alarmed, as the relentlessly expanding cluster is beginning to exhibit bulldozing potential. I've had to yank a couple shoots coming up in the midst of some nearby shrubs. Hasn't been too difficult to control yet, but we'll see in the coming years. My deer, by the way, are not in the least deterred by the thorns and happily rub away on the trunks, which I suspect assists in controlling the spread of the clump.

Do deer eat the foliage?

Not that I've noticed. I mainly see the mangled bark from rubbing.

It sounds like a great candidate for the woods. I even have a spot picked out for it (if I can get there safely) on an island or peninsula in the middle of the creek.

Now I just have to wait until I can find it! I must have stepped on it, because I can't find it.
Given its aggressive nature, I imagine I'll see it in the spring.

If there is an edge of woodland to plant it, that's where it will perform best and that you'll be able to enjoy it. Planted in deep shade (or seldomly lit) means poor to no flowering, adding next to nothing to your enjoyment or to environmental benefit.

It is a colonizing plant. Although it isn't necessarily desirable in the managed landscape, it is what it is destined to do. One shouldn't be totally surprised when it doesn't submit/behave in mixed company.

I walked along the creek today and determined that it will be easy enough for me to plant it on small island in the creek that is separated from the banks by a few shallow feet. It's a suitably sunny area where it can spread away. It will look awesome if it takes over the entire island.

That would be great Muddy. One patch I've admired is on the bank of Patapsco River.