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Oplopanax horridus
  • Devil's Club

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Oplopanax genus in the family Araliaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Partial sun
    Partial sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Oplopanax horridus has 0 edible uses listed
Oplopanax horridus has 0 material uses listed
Oplopanax horridus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant is densely armed with spikes and these spikes are irritant[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Young shoots - peeled and then cooked[2][3][4][5]. Only the very young shoots are used[6]. The roots can be chewed after peeling[4][5][7].

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

The berries can be mashed into a pulp and then rubbed onto the scalp to get rid of head lice[8].

Unknown part

Parasiticide

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Devil's club was widely employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it especially for its pain-relieving properties[8]. 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[6][9]. An infusion is used in the treatment of coughs and colds, bronchitis, tuberculosis, stomach problems etc[8]. A decoction is drunk in the treatment of rheumatism and is also applied externally as a wash on the affected joints[8]. A poultice of the bark has been used to relieve pain in various parts of the body[8]. A poultice of the bark has been applied to a nursing mother's breasts in order to stop an excessive flow of milk[8]. 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[8]. The burnt stems, mixed with oil, are applied as a salve on swellings[8]. An extract of the root bark lowers blood sugar levels and an infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of diabetes[10]. The infusion also has a tonic effect on the blood and liver[10]. The inner bark is emetic in large doses and purgative (especially if taken with hot water)[8]. It is used in the treatment of coughs and colds, stomach and bowel cramps[8]. A poultice of the inner bark is used in the treatment of wounds, sores etc[8].

The berries have been rubbed on the scalp to combat lice and dandruff, and to make the hair shiny[11].

Unknown part

Analgesic
Antidandruff
Antiphlogistic
Antirheumatic
Hypoglycaemic
Parasiticide
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[1]. 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[12].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Oplopanax horridus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a cool moist soil[13][1]. Prefers a position in light shade[14]. Prefers dense shade and is probably best if grown in moist woodland[15][13]. Tolerates maritime exposure[1]. (Rather a strange report for a plant that needs to be grown in dense shade[K]).

A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c, but the young shoots in spring can be damaged by late frosts[13][1]. It is therefore best not grown in a frost pocket[14]. 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[1]. A very ornamental plant, but it is densely armed with spikes[16]. It transplants easily and also tolerates pruning[1].

The leaves and stems are excessively spiny[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Oplopanax horridus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Oplopanax horridus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Oplopanax horridus
Genus
Oplopanax
Family
Araliaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[8][6][9][10][11]
Material uses & Functions
[8]
Botanic
[13][16][1]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
2 x 2 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
?
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.2 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
  7. ? 7.07.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  8. ? 8.008.018.028.038.048.058.068.078.088.098.108.118.12 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) ISBN 0-7322-0021-0 (1988-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Turner. N. J. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples UBC Press. Vancouver. ISBN 0-7748-0533-1 (1995-00-00)
  12. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.114.2 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
  15. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.1 Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)

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"image:Oplopanax horridus 6352.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Oplopanax_horridus&oldid=78941"
Facts about "Oplopanax horridus"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyAraliaceae +
Belongs to genusOplopanax +
Has binomial nameOplopanax horridus +
Has common nameDevil's Club +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partLeaves + and Root +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure + and High wind +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone4 +
Has imageOplopanax horridus 6352.JPG +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useParasiticide +
Has mature height2 +
Has mature width2 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAnalgesic +, Antidandruff +, Antiphlogistic +, Antirheumatic +, Hypoglycaemic +, Parasiticide + and Tonic +
Has primary imageOplopanax horridus 6352.JPG +
Has search nameoplopanax horridus + and devil's club +
Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has sun preferencePartial sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameOplopanax horridus +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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