Devil's club
Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus) is a large, spiny shrub native to the northwestern regions of North America. It is known for its distinctive appearance and its traditional medicinal uses by Indigenous peoples.
Description[edit | edit source]
Devil's Club is a member of the Araliaceae family. It typically grows in moist, forested areas and can reach heights of 1 to 3 meters. The plant is characterized by its large, palmate leaves and thick, woody stems covered in sharp spines. The leaves can be up to 35 cm across and are deeply lobed.
In the spring, Devil's Club produces small clusters of white flowers, which later develop into bright red berries. These berries are not considered edible for humans but are consumed by various wildlife species.
Habitat[edit | edit source]
Devil's Club is commonly found in the understory of temperate rainforests along the Pacific Coast, from Alaska to Oregon, and inland to the Rocky Mountains. It thrives in damp, shaded environments, often near streams or in wetland areas.
Traditional Uses[edit | edit source]
Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest have long used Devil's Club for medicinal purposes. The inner bark and roots are harvested and prepared in various forms, such as teas, poultices, and salves. It is traditionally used to treat ailments such as arthritis, digestive issues, and skin conditions.
Ecological Role[edit | edit source]
Devil's Club plays an important role in its ecosystem. It provides habitat and food for a variety of animals, including bears, which are known to eat the berries. The dense thickets formed by Devil's Club can also offer protection for smaller animals.
Cultivation and Conservation[edit | edit source]
While Devil's Club is not commonly cultivated, it can be grown in gardens that mimic its natural habitat. It requires moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. Conservation efforts focus on preserving its natural habitat, as logging and land development can threaten its populations.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
