indiana native plant of the month - september

Whoever is waking up Green Day can use this plant. One quick poke of the Devil’s Walkingstick is sure to bring even the heaviest sleeper out of their slumber.

devil’s walkingstick (aralia spinosa)

Devil’s Walkingstick is a prickly, large, leafy native plant. Growing tremendously with exceptionally large leaves and fruits that songbirds enjoy munching on. This plant occasionally grows as a giant reaching approximately 35’ tall.

identifying devil’s walkingstick

Devil’s Walkingstick has a few key identifying traits such as:

• Sharp spines on leaf stalks and branches

• 10’-15’ in height

• Juicy black fruit

• Cream/tan/white flowers

• Ginormous leaves

fun fact - largest leaves

Devil’s Walkingstick has the largest leaf in North America, ringing in at about 2’-4’ long and 2’-3’ wide.