Oplopanax elatus
Oplopanax elatus, commonly known as Devil's Club, is a sacred medicinal plant native to the Pacific Northwest. Deeply revered by Indigenous cultures, this potent shrub offers diverse healing properties. Traditionally used to treat respiratory ailments, digestive issues, and skin conditions, it remains a cornerstone of traditional botanical medicine.
- Scientific name: Oplopanax elatus
- Family: Araliaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is classified under the family Araliaceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Oplopanax.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Araliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Oplopanax | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Oplopanax elatus, is recognized by various local names across different linguistic regions. In Russian, it is referred to as Заманиха высокая, while in Ukrainian, it is known as Заманиха висока. In Chinese, it is called 刺参, and specifically in Cantonese, it is referred to as 遼參. Additionally, in Azerbaijani, the species is commonly known as Hündür oplopanaks.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ru | Заманиха высокая | Wikidata |
| zh | 刺参 | Wikidata |
| az | Hündür oplopanaks | Wikidata |
| uk | Заманиха висока | Wikidata |
| yue | 遼參 | Wikidata |
| ko | 땃두릅나무 | Wikidata |
| hy | Զամանիխա բարձր | Wikidata |
| et | Korea siilpaanaks | Wikidata |
| ru | Эхинопанакс высокий | Wikidata |
| az | Echinopanax elatus | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across specific regions within Eastern Asia. In the Russian Far East, its presence is notably concentrated in the Primorye territory. Moving south, it is widely found throughout the Manchuria region of China. The species also extends its natural range into the Korean Peninsula. Together, these areas define the core geographical footprint of Oplopanax elatus.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Oplopanax elatus, commonly known as Devil's Club, possesses specialized anatomical features within its underground structures that are often utilized in traditional medicine. The plant develops extensive root tissues that serve as a vital storage organ for nutrients and secondary metabolites. Specifically, the presence of adventitious roots allows the plant to establish a robust anchoring system and effectively absorb moisture from the forest floor, facilitating the concentration of the medicinal compounds found within its complex root systems.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root tissues | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adventitious root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Oplopanax elatus has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoid, IL-6, NO, betulin, gallic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| IL-6 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| NO | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| betulin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleanolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| prostaglandin E2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Oplopanax elatus has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cardiovascular disease, neurasthenia, schizophrenia.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cardiovascular disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurasthenia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| schizophrenia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |