Devil's-Walking-Stick
Devil's-walking-stick (Aralia spinosa) has the largest leaf of any native Pennsylvania plant -- mature compound leaves can be as long as three feet.
Devil's-Walking-Stick is a native large shrub or small tree with club-shaped
trunks that often form a thicket. It is an understory tree, growing below
the canopy, but thrives where more light is available such as on the outer
edges of a forest or along trails. It is also one of the first plants
to grow after an area has been clear cut. Gradually as more hardwood trees
grow and create full shade, the Devil's-Walking-Stick will die off . Therefore,
this is a good indicator species when studying forest succession of growth.
Today, it is planted as a border or fence due to its sharp thorns.
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, located in the Borough of Fox Chapel, was established by WPC in 1977. Devil's-walking-stick is one of the many species found as one hikes along the the five miles of trails.
More
ways Western Pennsylvania Conservancy works to
Save the Places We Care About
View WPC Daily for the month of January
Vote for your favorite WPC Daily in January