Oplopanax japonicus

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 3 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. It has irritant spikes. The branches can be 1 m long. The leaves are round and 15-30 cm across. They usually have 5-7 lobes. There are irregular teeth along the edge.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Japan

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten. The roots are cooked of chewed.

Edible parts

Leaves, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Aralia faribuki Siebold ex Miq.; Aralia laribuki Keiske ex Miq.; Echinopanax horridus subsp. japonicus (Nakai) Hultén; Echinopanax japonicus Nakai [Illegitimate]; Oplopanax horridus var. brevilobus H.Hara; Oplopanax japonicus var. brevilobus (H.Hara) Yonek.;