File:Bulletin (Pennsylvania Department of Forestry), no. 11 (1901) (20315237999).jpg

Title: Bulletin (Pennsylvania Department of Forestry), no. 11
Identifier: bulletinpennsylv11penx (find matches)
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Pennsylvania. Dept. of Forestry
Subjects: Forests and forestry
Publisher: Harrisburg, Pa. : The Department : WM. Stanley Ray, state printer of Pennsylvania
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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PLATE CXI. HERCULES' CLUB. 1. Section of a branch with compound leaves, x i. 2 A panicle of flowes, x i. 3. A panicle of fuit, x 5. t iclloTo/t'wintlr twig, natural size. HERCULES' CLUB. Aralia spinosa, Linnaeus. FAMILY AND GENUS DESCRIPTION—This sprclcs bHongs to the Ginseng family. Aralin- ceae, which comprises about Sii genera with 4r.O species of herbs, vines, shrubs,'or trees. The members are widely distributed but commonest in the tropics. The English Ivy (Hedera Helix L.) an evergreen climber is one of its most common representatives. The Common Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium), is a well known member of this family. The flora of I'eiinsylvauiii comprises 2 genera with G species. The species described hero is the only tree representative in North America. The genus Aralia to which it belongs comprises about 30 species, mostly herbs, native to North America and Asia. FORM—It may attain a height of 40 ft. with a diameter of 12 Inches, but usually 10 20 ft. in lu'igUt witi; a diameter of 4-8 inches. Trunk may l)e brancliless or somi-tinics covfn'd with stout widespreading branches. BARK—Thin, brown outside, yellow inside, at first smooth, later divided into rounded broken ridges. TWIGS—Very stout, i-J of an inch in diameter, armed with stout, scattered prickles, roughened by long narrow leaf-scars which nearly encircle the twig. BUDS—Alternate; terminal bud present, about 1.-3 of an inch long, chestnut-brown, conical, blunt-pointed. Lateral buds J of an inch loucj, flattened, often triangular. LEAVES—Alternatp, compound or doubly compound, often 3 ft. long and 2-25 ft. wide, leaflets ovate, 2-3 inches long, thick, wedqe-thaped or rounded at base, sharp-pointed at apex, serrate on margin, sometimes a little hairj on lower surface. Enlarged bases of the leaf-petioles sheath the twigs. LEAF-SOARS—Alternate, narrow, long, about half encircle the twig, taper to a point, embrace lateral buds, stand in a horizontal position, i. e. their plane is often at right angles to the main axis of the twig. Each leaf-scar contains aliout 12 bundle-scars arranged in a curved line. FLOWERS—Appear from Jime to August. Each flower is usually perfect and cream white. Many of them are grouped together in panicled-umbels which occur solitary or in groups often 3-4 ft. long. FRUIT—An ovoid black berry alwut i of an inch long, 5-angled, and terminated with blackened persistent styles. WOOD—Soft, brittle, weak, close-grained, brown with yellow streaks; sapwood narrow. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS—Tlie Hercules' Club, also known as Angelica Tree, can be distinguished by its large leaves which may be once, twice, or thrice compound. The leaves are the largest of our native trees. Thoy may be 3-4 ft. long and 2-2J ft. wide. The petioles have enlarged clasping bases. Tlio terminal buds are conical and J-:; of an inch long and the lateral ones are triangular and 4 of an inch long. The elongated narrow leaf-scars half encircle the twigs. The stout twigs and the petioles are armed. The small white flowers are arranged in panicled-umbel'.. often over 2 I'r. long. Its habit of growth is unique in that a number of unbranched but armed stems come up in rather dense clumi)s. RANGE—Southern New York to Florida, wost to Missoliri and Texas. DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA—Found locally throughout the southern half of the State. Not reported from the northern or northeastern parts. lx)cal outposts of It are repotted from the northwestern part. HABITAT—Prefers rich moist bottomland. Common in moist and fertile woodlands. IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES—This species is of no commercial value. It remains small, produces Inferior wood, and is local and limited in Its distribution. The tree grows rapidly and is planted rather extensively for ornament.

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