Oplopanax horridus (horridum)
Devil's Club

Family: Araliaceae (Ginseng family)

Photo taken at Mill Creek near Stevens Pass, partially shaded, moist forest near stream (10 to 20 meters away)

Flowers:

in elongate panicles or racemes, up to 2.5 dm long

Fruit:

bright red berry, 5 to 8 mm

Leaves:

blade 1 to 3.5 dm broad, shallowly 7 to 9 lobed, cordate

Plant:

1 to 3 meters tall; armed with yellow spines throughout, 5 to 20 mm long. Burned stems and grease mixed and applied to swollen areas, and an infusion of crushed stems was taken as a tonic or blood purifier by the Okanagan-Colville, and Thompson. Infusion of inner pith taken for colds by the Sanpoil, and to increase the appetite by the Thompson.

Habitat:

moist woods, especially near streams

Distribution of species:

Alaska to Oregon, east and west Cascades to Idaho and Montana, also in Michigan and Ontario

Distribution of genus: