Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus)
Rarity: Widespread, but untouchable. You’ll know exactly where it is, and still think twice before going near it.
Devil's club is a large, spiny shrub native to moist, forested areas of the Pacific Northwest. Ecologically, it provides shelter and food for wildlife while contributing to the stability of riparian zones. It is most commonly found in shady, moist environments such as old-growth forests, streambanks, and wet ravines.
Ecological Role
Devil’s Club thrives in rich, moist soils often in old-growth conifer forests, streambanks, and avalanche gullies. It spreads through rhizomes, forming dense colonies that stabilize soil and create shaded understory layers. These thickets provide cover for birds and small mammals and help retain moisture in forest ecosystems.
The plant’s large leaves and spiny stems offer protection and microhabitats for invertebrates, while its late-summer berries are eaten by bears, birds, and other wildlife. Though it doesn’t dominate vast areas, where it grows, it shapes the structure and movement of the forest floor. Its presence often signals cool, intact forest systems with consistent moisture and limited disturbance.