Aralia spinosa...interesting fall display on a widespread local native

Devil's Walkingstick, Hercules' Club: you've gotta love a plant with names like this. It's difficult, on the other hand, to love it when you reach out for a handhold on a steep slope and grasp a hand full of spines. Still, it takes all kinds and this week it's beautiful. I took this picture along the Fern Valley road across from the golf course fence (about 3/4 of the way from the parking lot to the bridge over Hickey Run.