I have had a mystery plant for several years, outside in a container, and have finally identified it as some kind of aralia. It looks and grows exactly like aralia spinosa, except that it has no spines whatsoever. Any idea what it might be? Thanks! Sharlene on Mayne Island, BC
Maybe Polyscias fruticosa. Common name ming Aralia http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Po...&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1246&bih=496
Thanks much -- but unfortunately those don't have the shape of the leaves on my tree. Here's a link that shows the leaves, and the spiny trunk -- the only difference is that my tree doesn't have any spines anywhere, but the leaves are the same: http://www.pnwplants.wsu.edu/PlantDisplay.aspx?PlantID=415 Thanks, though!
Compare with Mahonia & Nandina, both have a form similar to Aralia. http://www.crowslandscaping.com/shrubs.htm