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Stewart Robert Hinsley · 16-10-2007, 12:08 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

In message , Sacha
writes
On 16/10/07 09:54, in article ,
"Emery Davis" wrote:

On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:56:47 +0100
Sacha wrote:

While at Marwood Hill today, we saw a small tree with unbelievably horrible
thorns! All I remember of the name (I had nothing to write on) was that it
ended in Americana. The thorns were shaped like hooked rose thorns but a
great deal larger and were all up the trunk and along every branch and twig.
I've never seen such a brute but I should think it's a security firm's dream
plant. Does anyone know what it might be?

Hi Sacha,

Kalopanax? What were the leaves like?

Kalopanax looks very much like it, though there weren't many leaves to be
seen. I think you've got it, thank you. I thought it ended in 'americana'
but I was trying to remember several things and kick myself now for not
having my usual notebook with me. It was quite a mature specimen and must
have been there several years. Where does it originate, do you know?

From Wikipedia "Kalopanax septemlobus, common name Kalopanax or Prickly
Castor-oil Tree, is a deciduous tree in the family Araliaceae, the sole
species in the genus Kalopanax. It is native to northeastern Asia, from
Sakhalin and Japan west to southwestern China."
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley