Kalopanax, Kalopanax septemlobus

tree of the family Araliaceae (Aralia, Kalopanax, ivy).

Origin: Far East.
Habitat: wooded regions of deciduous trees. Kalopanax prefers rich, even alkaline soils. Water in summer because it loses its leaves during the dry summers.
Height: 25 m in Japon, 6 m in Europe.
Growth: slow.
Shape: broad crown and columnar, with branches somewhat trimmed.
Trunk: 0,60 m of diameter.
Bark: brown, prickly.
Deciduous foliage. Lobbed leaves, 5 or 7 lobes, heart-shaped base, and acuminate apex; margin with small teeth; dark green above, pale green underside. Size 8 to 20 cm.
White flowers in final umbels up to 60 cm in diameter. They attract the honeybees.
Fruits: protruding berries, of 0,8 cm, containing 2 or 3 seeds.
Use: ornamental tree (beware the thorns of branches).