This invasive tree produces delicious edible buds each spring! The huge buds of Japanese Angelica Tree (Aralia elata) is sometimes referred to as the “king of edible wild plants”, taranome, or dureup - they can be harvested just after the leaves start to break through the bud scales. In its native range, Aralia elata is a prized delicacy. My friends Tama and Derek took me along on their recent foraging trip to show me how to properly harvest the plant. Since it’s an invasive species here, Tama also showed me her “decapitation method”, which is meant to severely damage or kill the plant, thus limiting its ability to spread. There is a virtually identical native species called Devil’s Walkingstick (Aralia spinosa), which is primarily found in the southeastern US. The major differences between the two is the inflorescence shape: the native A. spinosa has a more upright inflorescence which is usually taller than wide, whereas the invasive A. elata typically has a wider and shorter inflorescence with multiple dominant stems. In my area here in southeast PA, the native one is virtually non-existant. Instead, the invasive one forms dense groves in disturbed woods, right-of-ways, and roadsides. Tama has posted some recipes on her IG page earlier today (meadowsandmore) - check them out! Lastly, Tama released a new book about using invasive weeds like this one to improve your foods and your ecosystem! Its called, “Into the Weeds - How to Garden Like a Forager” - you can check it out through the link in my bio. #aralia #araliaelata #invasive #foraging #intotheweeds #forage #plants #trees #tree #japaneseangelicatree #angelicatree #devilswalkingstick #dureup #taranome #spring #buds #gardening #garden #invasivespecies #fyp