Virginia Tech Dendrology

Devilsclub Araliaceae Oplopanax horridus (Sm.) Miq. symbol: OPHO
Leaf: Simple, alternate, deciduous. Leaves and stems are HEAVILY ARMED with fine, irritating prickles! Leaves are large (5 to 15 inches in diameter), palmately lobed, and clustered near the ends to the twigs, bright green above and paler below.
Flower: Species is monoecious; small white flowers borne in upright, conical-shaped terminal clusters that are 3 to 6 inches long.
Fruit: Bright red, flattened, ellipsoidal drupes borne in upright terminal clusters, inedible.
Twig: Sparse, upright, thick (1/2 inch or more in diameter), tan stems, armed with slender, stiff, irritating prickles.
Bark: Tan and armed with slender stiff prickles.
Form: A semi-prostrate or erect shrub growing 3 to 12 feet tall. Each plant has only 1 to several upright stems.

Additional Range Information: Oplopanax horridus is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information