Plant Identification - Devil's Walking Stick, Aralia spinosa.

Hello, it's been a while since I've been here, but I know of no other better community to reach out to. I need help with an identification.

I have this... plant that grows on my place quite abundantly. It looks like a tree sapling, but it has no branches or leaves. None. There are small thorns that protrude from it, but that's about it. There does appear to be so segments, possibly growth segments.

I have not been able to find anything, anywhere. Of course, I included so pictures.

I always see them on the woods, never where it's completely open. I've seen them as tall as 8 feet, but never more than an inch and a half in diameter. They grow up on hills and in low areas, dry and semi wet.

Any ideas or info?

Edit: I am in western Kentucky, zone 6-7 depending on the map.

Howdy Jon!

Looks to me like the Devil's Walking Stick, Aralia spinosa.

I'm pretty sure Cody has it right, here's a short article on the Devil's Walking stick.

http://www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/2016/8/24/the-devils-walking-stick

In bloom, from the article above.



If memory serves, it was once used for constipation.

Thank you guys for the quick identification. I suppose I've never seen it with leaves or in bloom. I just bought my place in August so I didn't get much time yo look around. Also, I read older plants aren't as spiny, which is what I've been looking for. Thanks again.

I have a very abundant unknown plant in my gardens. I’d love some help identifying it.

Here is the YouTube link: not sure the best way to insert a video...sorry.

Jackie, I watched your video and the quick answer is I can't quite tell from it. Still photos would be better I think. From the video part of my thinks that it is in fact a true grass, and part of me thinks that its something just a bit grass like, such as an immature carnation. I think I see a grass seed head for a split second, then the camera moves. You say it isn't a true grass, and that is possible as well.

Since there does seem to be alot of it pull one up, look at the roots, and then take a number of still photos of it. If there is an flowering looking part at all photograph that carefully, photograph the stems, the leaf sheaths where they join the stems, the roots, any underground parts such as rhizomes or if it just has a clump of fibrous roots like an annual. I think if you post such still photos here you'll probably have an accurate answer quicker than I can reply myself.

Here are some pictures...I’ll try to get more showing the more recent growth.

I'm not 100% positive on this, but it may be some sort of Acorus spp. (Sweet flag - a type of iris). That was the first thing that popped into my head. Google Acorus images and see what you think.

Deb Stephens wrote:I'm not 100% positive on this, but it may be some sort of Acorus spp. (Sweet flag - a type of iris). That was the first thing that popped into my head. Google Acorus images and see what you think.

Another thought -- could be liriope. It's hard to tell without seeing it in person.

From the new pictures I can tell that you are definitely correct in your assertion that it is not a grass! From photos I've seen of Acorus I doubt it is that.


Doesn't look familiar to me other than some vague plant family thoughts. My thought is, let it bloom, and then we'll have a lot more information to work with.

Its even possible it could be something you intentionally planted awhile back.

The color seems off, compared to my local stuff, but the structure looks like Goldenrod to me.

It's a bit spindly, but it reminds me of Liatris spicata/ Blazing Star Liatris.

It looks like it’s ready to flower very soon. I’m just waiting for that so I can share some more pictures. I have put out a lot of wild flower seeds so it’s very likely something I introduced.

It’s finally flowered...

Jackie Frobese wrote:It’s finally flowered...

I'm not a flower ID expert but it looks like it could be some kind of wild Dianthus to me?

I happened across an app called iNaturalist which is pretty helpful in ID of plant/animal species...it can be fun to browse and/or post and ID things! Look it up it might help in the future.

This is a wild dianthus and native to Europe. Invasive in North America and it can outcompetes native flowers.