Oplopanax horridus aka Devil's Walking Stick

Oplopanax horridus, or devil's club, is a deciduous shrub. It belongs to the Araliaceae family. Its native range spans Alaska and western Canada into the northwestern United States. Separate populations grow on islands in Lake Superior. It grows in damp woods, often near streams. These sites tend to have rich soil. It is native to Oregon, but not Britain or Ireland.

In gardens, it reaches about 5–8 feet [1.5–2.5 metres] tall. Its spread reaches about 3–5 feet [1–1.5 metres]. Other accounts give heights near 12 feet [3.7 metres]. The plant can stand upright or lean close to the ground. Each plant has one to several stout stems. These often grow without branches. Tan bark and stems bear stiff, thin prickles. The prickles can irritate skin, making handling a concern.

Large leaves crowd near the ends of the stems. They grow one after another, rather than in pairs. Their lobes give them a shape much like maple leaves. The edges have sharp, uneven teeth. Leaves look green above and paler below. Prickles grow along the veins and on the leaf stalks. RHS gives leaf widths up to 1 foot [0.3 metres]. Virginia Tech records widths reaching 1.25 feet [0.38 metres]. The shrub sheds its leaves each year.

Small green-white flowers open in late spring or early summer. They form upright, cone-shaped clusters at the stem tips. Red fruits follow the flowers and may last into winter. Virginia Tech describes these fruits as flattened drupes. It also lists them as inedible. The bold leaves and upright stems give the shrub a strong garden shape. RHS suggests it for planting where form is the main feature.

Choose a cool, sheltered place with partial or full shade. It needs acid soil that stays moist. It grows in clay, loam, or sand. It can cope with poor drainage, but does not tolerate drought. RHS rates its cold hardiness H7. PFAF lists USDA zones 4–8; Oregon State gives zone 5. RHS reports few pest or disease problems. Plants reach full size in about five to ten years. Seed may take two years to sprout. Softwood cuttings and layering offer other ways to grow it.

PFAF records food uses for roots and very young shoots. It describes peeling and cooking the shoots, and chewing peeled roots. It also lists leaves among the edible parts. This does not make the fruit edible. Indigenous North American peoples used the plant for medicine, including pain relief. PFAF also records a past use of crushed berries against head lice. These reports describe traditional uses, not proof of safe or effective treatment.