Aralia elata
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Aralia elata | image = Aralia elata en fleur4081.jpg | image_width = 250px | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Magnoliopsida | ordo = Apiales | familia = Araliaceae | genus = Aralia | species = A. elata | binomial = Aralia elata | binomial_authority = Seem. }}
Aralia elata is an upright deciduous small tree or shrub up to 6 m in height, native to eastern Russia, China, Korea, and Japan. It is known as Tara in Japanese, and also as Japanese Angelica-tree. It prefers deep loamy soils in partial shade, but will grow in poorer soils and in full sun. The plant is sometimes cultivated, often in a variegated form, for its exotic apperance.
The bark is rough and gray with prickles. The leaves are alternate, large, 60-120 cm long, and double pinnate. The flowers are produced in large umbels in late summer, each flower small and white. The fruit is a small black drupe.
Aralia elata is closely related to the American species Aralia spinosa, with which it is easily confused.
In Japan, the shoots are eaten in the spring. They are picked from the end of the branches and are fried in a tempura batter.da:Manchurisk Aralie fr:Aralie japonaise ja:タラノキ