Aralia (Araliaceae) KWJ12349e

vietnamensis

After years of trying to collect this most impressive species we managed to persuade our guide Uoc to collect and send on some of this very late ripening seed to us. This most spectacular species of the genus has been recorded to 12 m tall, we would not expect half of that in our climate. The leaves are the largest I know of, to 2 m long while almost as wide, composed of leaflets that can also be to 25 cm. What has always impressed me is the texture of the leathery foliage covered in bristly golden hair. Best grown with caution as the hardiness is untested, so best kept out of very cold weather. Due to heavy winter losses of our seedlings (heater failed on the coldest night) the introduction of this collection will be delayed. Unfortunately the eventual price will reflect this.