Kalopanax septemlobus Seeds | Castor Aralia
LATIN NAME: Kalopanax septemlobus
COMMON NAME: Castor Aralia
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Castor Aralia, Kalopanax septemlobus is a palm in the ginseng family. Castor aralia raises its large, palm-shaped leaves and small, white flowers in rounded clusters, and the whole tree stands in the bold, spreading clumps. It is a tree of open, sunny, deep, rich, moist, well-drained ground. Pollinating insects take to the flowers at once, adding a little wildlife interest to its garden value. Add these qualities together and you have a species well worth a place in the garden.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the ginseng family, Kalopanax septemlobus draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. Little about its garden performance is mysterious; it has been grown and observed for a very long time.
Uses & Benefits
Castor Aralia works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Castor aralia is a fine, bold tree of cool garden and study collection. It is a fine, bold tree of open, sunny, deep, rich, moist, well-drained garden. Give young trees deep, rich, moist bed, and bold leaves will form broad crown in years to come. Establishment is uncomplicated, and afterwards ordinary care suffices.
Castor aralia bark appears in Chinese folk medicine for rheumatism, and the spiny tree is a bold ornamental with pollinator-rich autumn bloom.
Growing from Seed
Castor Aralia grows readily from seed. Use a fine, free-draining seed compost, scatter the seed evenly, cover it lightly and hold it just moist in good light. Pot the young plants on as they grow, harden them off gradually, and plant them into their final positions when sturdy.
Our Take
Castor Aralia repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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