Devil's Club
Oplopanax horridus

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

Oplopanax horridus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 2

Where it is found

Moist woods, especially by streams and usually in rich soils.

Western N. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Young shoots - peeled and then cooked. Only the very young shoots are used. The roots can be chewed after peeling.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 2

Devil's club was widely employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it especially for its pain-relieving properties. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism, though it probably merits further investigation. The root bark and stems are analgesic, antirheumatic, antiphlogistic, appetizer, blood purifier, cathartic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmic, pectoral and tonic. An infusion is used in the treatment of coughs and colds, bronchitis, tuberculosis, stomach problems etc. A decoction is drunk in the treatment of rheumatism and is also applied externally as a wash on the affected joints. A poultice of the bark has been used to relieve pain in various parts of the body. A poultice of the bark has been applied to a nursing mother's breasts in order to stop an excessive flow of milk. A decoction has been used as an eye wash in the treatment of cataracts and as a herbal steam bath for treating general body pains. The burnt stems, mixed with oil, are applied as a salve on swellings. An extract of the root bark lowers blood sugar levels and an infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of diabetes. The infusion also has a tonic effect on the blood and liver. The inner bark is emetic in large doses and purgative (especially if taken with hot water). It is used in the treatment of coughs and colds, stomach and bowel cramps. A poultice of the inner bark is used in the treatment of wounds, sores etc. The berries have been rubbed on the scalp to combat lice and dandruff, and to make the hair shiny.

Analgesic: Relieves pain.

Antidandruff: Treats dandruff.

Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Hypoglycaemic: Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating:

The berries can be mashed into a pulp and then rubbed onto the scalp to get rid of head lice.

Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.

How it is grown

Requires a cool moist soil. Prefers a position in light shade. Prefers dense shade and is probably best if grown in moist woodland. Tolerates maritime exposure. (Rather a strange report for a plant that needs to be grown in dense shade). A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c, but the young shoots in spring can be damaged by late frosts. It is therefore best not grown in a frost pocket. This species was until recently considered to have its range in N. America and Japan, but the Japanese form has now been separated off into its own species as O. japonicus. A very ornamental plant, but it is densely armed with spikes. It transplants easily and also tolerates pruning. The leaves and stems are excessively spiny.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Root cuttings in a greenhouse in the winter.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

The plant is densely armed with spikes and these spikes are irritant.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Echinopanax horridus. Fatsia horrida. Panax horridum.