Oplopanax horridus

The Devils Club from the cool moist forests of W North America is a rarely cultivated though very hardy small to medium sized shrub with very spiny stems (reminiscent of an Aralia) and impressive large, bold, maple-like foliage up to 25cm across, armed on the veins above and below. Dense conical panicles of greenish-white flowers followed by scarlet fruits in autumn as the leaves turn to clear yellow. For a reasonably moist but well drained soil in semi-shade. An important and potent herbal medicine is derived from this.