Woody > Kalopanax > Kalopanax septemlobus > Kalopanax septemlobus
Kalopanax septemlobus
Castor Aralia
Origin: Originated in Asia (Japan, China and Korea) and Eastern Russia. Brought to North America in 1865 for arboretums.
| Family |
| Araliaceae |
| Genus |
| Kalopanax |
| Species |
| septemlobus |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4a - 8b |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 2a - 8a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 - H4 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -32 - (-7) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -30 - 20 |
| Height |
| 30 m |
| Spread |
| 13 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| A large deciduous tree with brilliant yellow colours in the autumn. Although the tree has great shape and colour it has the potential to become an invasive species due to its extreme hardiness. |
| Landscape |
| Typically used as an ornamental or shade tree in landscapes. Can also be used as an urban tree. |
| Cultivation |
| Grows best in moist soil in full sun. It is very tolerable to any acidity and all soils. |
| Shape |
| Upright oval shape. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| Dark gray rigid bark. Its flowers are white umbellose-shaped panicle clusters. It grows small blue-black berries that stay attached throughout the winter. |
| Pests |
| No known pests or diseases. |
| Habitat |
| Lowland marshes and wetlands of varying pH levels. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Very coarse and prickle-covered young bark that turns to dark gray furrowed bark with age. |
| Leaf Description |
| Large lobed leaves up to 36 cm long, with 5 - 7 lobes. |
| Flower Description |
| Outstanding 31 cm wide inflorescences that consist of umbellos panicle clusters of white flowers. |
| Fruit Description |
| Small, round bluish-black berries that persist through winter. |
| Colour Description |
| Dark green glossy leaves with dark gray furrowed bark. Clusters of numerous white flowers. Very vivid yellow and red foliage in the autumn along with bluish-black berries. |
| Texture Description |
| Very coarse prickly texture. Loses its prickly texture with age and becomes more coarse. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. |
References
Dirr’s Encyclopedia of trees and Shrubs
Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland
Missouri Botanical Garden
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants
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