It is an upright deciduous small tree or shrub growing up to 6 m in height, native to eastern Russia , China , Korea , and Japan .In Japan it is known as tara-no-ki (Katakana: タラノキ/Kanji: 楤木), and in Korea as dureup namu (두릅나무). It prefers deep loamy soils in partial shade, but will grow in poorer soils and in full sun. The plant is sometimes cultivated, often in a variegated form, for its exotic appearance.The bark is rough and gray with prickles. The leaves are alternate, large, 60-120 cm long, and double pinnate . The flowers are produced in large umbels in late summer, each flower small and white. The fruit is a small black drupe . Aralia elata is closely related to the American species Aralia spinosa , with which it is easily confused.

Physical Characteristics : A decidious Tree growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.The plant prefers acid and neutral soils..It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.It requires moist soil.