Devil's club
Oplopanax horridus

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 0.9-3 m high and spreads 1.5 m wide. It has spiny branches. These are often trailing. The leaves are like maple leaves. There are spines down the middle of the leaf underneath. The flowers are white. They are in pyramid shaped clusters. These can be 10-25 cm long. The fruit are shiny red berries. They occur in clusters.

There are 3 Oplopanax species. They grow in the northern temperate regions. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on stony soils in woods. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America, USA (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The roots and young fleshy stems are cooked and eaten. The young leaves before the spines stiffen can be eaten raw or cooked in soups and casseroles.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, shoots, flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Aralia erinacea Hook.; Aralia occidentalis Schltdl ex Ledeb.; Echinopanax horridus (Sm.) Decne. & Planch. ex Harms; Fatsia horrida (Sm.) Benth. & Hook.f.; Horsfieldia horrida (Sm.) Seem.; Panax horridus Sm.; Ricinophyllum americanum Pall. ex Ledeb.; Ricinophyllum horridum (Sm.) A. Nelson & J. F. Macbr.;