ExplorePlants

Devil's Club

Oplopanax horridus

Devil's Club is a tall plant with big, spiky leaves and bright green stems. It grows in shady forests and is known for its unique look and sharp thorns!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Devil's Club has huge, palmate leaves, often over a foot wide, covered in sharp, woody spines. Its stems are also densely armed with yellow-green thorns, and it produces bright red berry clusters in late summer, making it look quite formidable.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderApialesFamilyAraliaceaeGenusOplopanax
Devil's Club
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgeshrub trait badge
Devil's Club

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Snaps

20

Interesting facts

Despite its scary name, it provides important shelter for small forest creatures!

Indigenous peoples have used its bark for generations in traditional medicines and ceremonies.

Its bright red berries look tasty, but they are generally not eaten by animals!

This plant often grows in damp, cool forests, creating an eerie, primordial feel.

Special abilities

Ability

Thorned Fortress

Devil's Club can grow incredibly sharp, woody spines all over its stems and leaves that protect it from hungry herbivores.

Ability

Forest Navigator

Devil's Club has the ability to sprout roots and new shoots from fallen stems, helping it spread and conquer new areas.

Ability

Shade Seeker

Devil's Club has huge leaves to capture sunlight even in deep, shady forests, helping it thrive where others struggle.

Measurements & details

Height
100-400 cm
Spread
100-300 cm
Flower Size
0.2-0.5 cm
Bloom Season
June-August
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

American black bear

Ursus americanus

Bears sometimes eat Devil's Club berries in late summer.

eaten by

Elk

Cervus canadensis

Elk may browse on young shoots, despite the plant's sharp thorns.

pollinates

Western bumblebee

Bombus occidentalis

Bumblebees visit its small flowers, helping spread pollen.

shelters

Douglas squirrel

Tamiasciurus douglasii

Dense, spiny thickets provide safe hiding spots for small animals.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Stay away from the sharp thorns on the stems and leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Devil's Club?

The easiest way to identify Devil's Club is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is Devil's Club?

100-400 cm

How wide does Devil's Club spread?

100-300 cm

How big are the flowers on Devil's Club?

0.2-0.5 cm

When does Devil's Club bloom?

June-August

Is Devil's Club edible?

No

Is Devil's Club toxic?

Mild

What is Devil's Club's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

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