Kalopanax septemlobus
Castor Aralia

Kalopanax septemlobus - Habit

Family:

Araliaceae (Ginseng Family) 7

Genus:

Kalopanax (Castor Aralia Aralia, Castor) 1

Plant Type:

Tree 575

Growth Forms:

Upright 576

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 520

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

White (Summer; small white flowers in large clusters (compound umbel) resembling fireworks)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Large (7-14" wide) tropical-looking star-shaped leaves; summer); Multi-Colored (Fall; yellow or red, but not always attractive)

Stem Notes:

Yellow (Yellowish brown, coarse, stout, and glabrous; younger stems have spines, which tend to disappear as the tree matures)

Fruit Notes:

Black (Summer; interesting, small, shiny black fruits)

Ultimate Height:

40-60 feet

Ultimate Spread:

40-60 feet

Bloom Times:

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Sun

Range:

Far East, Japan

Maintenance:

Low 275

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Alternate, simple, large star-shaped leaves up to 14" wide (slightly smaller on mature trees) give Kalopanax septemlobus a uniquely tropical appearance. Leaves resemble those of Castor Bean. Petiole often longer than blade. The coarse, club-like stems and the bark have numerous broad-based prickles.

Ecological Functions:

Food for Birds 211

Special Characteristics:

Fast Growth Rate 229

Pest and/or Disease Resistant 96

Additional Information

No disease or insect problems. Stout prickles could cause injury. Slight weediness via the seeds. Not common in commerce.

Plant Photo Gallery

Kalopanax septemlobus - Habit

Habit

Kalopanax septemlobus - Tree with Fruits and Developing Fall Color

Tree with Fruits and Developing Fall Color

Kalopanax septemlobus - Leaf

Leaf

Kalopanax septemlobus - Cluster of Ripe Fruits

Cluster of Ripe Fruits

Kalopanax septemlobus - Smaller Clusters of Fruits

Smaller Clusters of Fruits

Kalopanax septemlobus - Cluster of Immature Fruits

Cluster of Immature Fruits

Kalopanax septemlobus - Cluster of Immature Fruits

Cluster of Immature Fruits

Kalopanax septemlobus - Bark

Bark

When Kalopanax septemlobus has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

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Fruiting

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Week 1 fruiting not present	Week 2 fruiting not present	Week 3 fruiting not present	Week 4 fruiting not present	Week 5 fruiting not present	Week 6 fruiting not present	Week 7 fruiting not present	Week 8 fruiting not present	Week 9 fruiting not present	Week 10 fruiting not present	Week 11 fruiting not present	Week 12 fruiting not present	Week 13 fruiting not present	Week 14 fruiting not present	Week 15 fruiting not present	Week 16 fruiting not present	Week 17 fruiting not present	Week 18 fruiting not present	Week 19 fruiting not present	Week 20 fruiting not present	Week 21 fruiting not present	Week 22 fruiting not present	Week 23 fruiting not present	Week 24 fruiting not present	Week 25 fruiting not present	Week 26 fruiting not present	Week 27 fruiting not present	Week 28 fruiting not present	Week 29 fruiting not present	Week 30 fruiting not present	Week 31 fruiting not present	Week 32 fruiting not present	Week 33 fruiting not present	Week 34 fruiting not present	Week 35 fruiting not present	Week 36 fruiting not present	Week 37 fruiting present	Week 38 fruiting present	Week 39 fruiting present	Week 40 fruiting present	Week 41 fruiting present	Week 42 fruiting present	Week 43 fruiting present	Week 44 fruiting present	Week 45 fruiting present	Week 46 fruiting present	Week 47 fruiting not present	Week 48 fruiting not present	Week 49 fruiting not present	Week 50 fruiting not present	Week 51 fruiting not present	Week 52 fruiting not present

4 Kalopanax septemlobus found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2013_00442*A	HORTPARK
2	2013_00506*A	HORTPARK
3	2009_13704*A	HORTPARK
4	2013_00507*A	HORTPARK

Other plants like this Kalopanax septemlobus (Castor Aralia)

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