Aralia scaberula G. Hoo

Shrubs, 1.5-2.5 m tall, andromonoecious. Branches with scattered lenticels and straight, conic prickles 4-5 mm. Leaves 2-pinnately compound, with a pair of accessory leaflets at each division of rachis; petiole 15-20 cm, glabrous, with sparse prickles; petiolules 0-5 mm; leaflets 3-5 per pinna; oblong-ovate, ovate, or rarely lanceolate, 6-12 × 3-4.5 cm, papery or subleathery, abaxially scabrous on veins and glaucous, adaxially glabrous, secondary veins 5 or 6 pairs, tertiary veins prominent, conspicuous on both surfaces, base broadly cuneate to rounded, margin serrate, apex acuminate. Inflorescence a terminal panicle of umbels, pilose, unarmed; primary axis 1.5-5 cm; secondary axes 15-25 cm; ultimate axes with a terminal umbel of bisexual flowers and numerous lateral umbels of male flowers; bracts persistent, lanceolate, 3-5 mm; umbels 15-20-flowered; pedicels 2-3 mm, pilose. Ovary 5-carpellate; styles free. Fruit globose to ellipsoid, ca. 5 × 4 mm; styles persistent, radiating. Fl. Jul-Aug, fr. Aug-Sep.

Fujian (Chong’an), Jiangxi.

● Forests on mountain slopes; 1100-1500 m.