Devils Club

Devils Club - Oplopanax Horridus

by Robert Smith

Oplopanax Horridus is its common name but most commonly known as Devils Club. Its part of the Araliaceae family or the ginseng family. They grow in northwestern part of the united states and canada in well drained soils and can be found 100 miles inland from the coast growing very thick in some areas. Devils Club can grow up to 5 meters tall and its stem can become up to 3 meters in diameter. It grows from a thin hollow stem that hardens as it grows larger, also sprouts green and or white flowers and red berries though out the summer.

Devils Club has been used in the past to treat sicknesses such as coughs or stomach pains. It can also help treat illnesses such as influenza, arthritis, and diabetes.

References

http://www.drugs.com/npp/devil-s-club.html

http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/devils-club-plant-leaves-7364-pictures.htm