Devil's Club
Oplopanax horridus
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CAUTION: This species may be harmful. Contact with the spines will result in dermatitis (skin irritation) and may cause a serious allergy. Devil's Club is a unique shrub that is literally armed to the teeth. There are spines, prickles or stinging hairs on every exposed surface of this shrub. The roots and berries are the only parts that do not have these. It is notable in that even the leaves are covered with numerous spines. Devil's club is important in traditional and contemporary First Nations cultures such as the Tlingit, Haida, Salish, Tsimshian, Hesquiat, and Nuxalt. Many Pacific Northwest tribes have taken a decoction of bark and stems to treat rheumatism, arthritis, and influenza, used as a diuretic, tonic, eyewash for cataracts, and as a laxative. It has been used for a multitude of uses ranging from fishhooks and lures to using its charcoal as a base for tattoo ink. The variety of traditional medicines made from this cousin of Panax (ginseng) is staggering as well. It is in the ginseng family (Araliaceae) and can emit an intoxicating scent depending on weather conditions. Western herbalists and mainstream pharmaceutical researchers have taken an interest in Devil's Club potential for many ailments including the regulation of blood sugar for the treatment of diabetes. Bears enjoy in eating large quantities of the abundant berries in mid-summer. The seeds spread which helps the forest recover from natural and human disturbances. Due to the very sharp prickles, this shrub is also known as Devil’s Canes, and Devil’s Walking-Stick.
Trunk/Bark
The trunk is typically described as a thick, crooked, and often unbranched stem, densely covered with sharp, yellow spines that can be long, giving the plant its "horridus" reputation. The bark is light tan or beige to yellow in color and can have a slightly sweet, musky aroma when broken.
Branches/Twigs
Sparse, upright, thick (1cm (1/2") or more in diameter), stems are beige and they are covered with slender, stiff, irritating prickles.
Height
This deciduous shrub grows anywhere from 1 to 3 metres (3 to 10') tall.
Leaves/Needles
The immense green, maple-like leaves grow alternate. The leaves are cordate-based, petiolate, with margins irregularly twice-serrate. The leaf blades are palmately 7 to 9 lobed reaching from 10 to 35cm (4 to 14") wide. The leaves lighten to yellowish and drop in fall.
Flowers
In late April, May, or June, this shrub produces an inflorescence that is a terminal panicle or raceme reaching up to 25cm (10") long. Individual flowers are greenish or white with 5 petals and measure 5 to 6 mm (.2") wide. The petals are long and loosely twisted. Each flower has 20 stamens and five tiny sepals. Flowers turn into bright red berries by late summer.
Fruit
Shiny, inedible, flattened, bright red berries are produced in large, showy clusters. Each berry contains three seeds. The berries are somewhat flattened and are 5 to 8 mm (.2") long.
Habitat
Devil's Club grows from Alaska to Oregon (including British Columbia), and east to Alberta and Montana. This plant is also found in the Great Lakes Region. In Washington, this plant grows on both sides of the Cascades crest. Devil's club may be found from Alaska south to southern Oregon between the Cascade Mts. and Pacific coast. It forms a thicket in rich, moist, black soil, among lady ferns and nettles.
Edible Parts
It is very important to remember that ONLY the young spring buds, boiled, can be consumed. According to Plants for a Future, young shoots can be peeled and then cooked.
Other Name
Echinopanax horridum.
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