Japanese devil's-club

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese devil's-club

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Echinopanax elatus
• Oplopanax horridus subsp. elatus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Oplopanax elaatus is characterized by its preference for specialized montane environments, specifically within forest and mountain habitats. This species occupies a relatively narrow altitudinal niche, thriving in high-elevation zones where it is typically found between a minimum of 1400 m AMSL and a maximum of 1550 m AMSL. The ecological distribution of the plant is concentrated around a mean elevation of 1475 m AMSL, suggesting a highly specific adaptation to the climatic and soil conditions prevalent within these mid-to-high altitude forest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1550 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1475 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1400 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, mountains

Life history

The life history of Oplopanax elaetus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategies, it exhibits life forms classified as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, indicating that its buds are located on aerial shoots that are relatively low to the ground but still visible above the soil surface.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Oplopanax elatus is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, which can manifest as either a shrub or a subshrub depending on environmental conditions. The plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and is classified as a self-supporting species rather than a climber. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and maintains a terrestrial life habit. In terms of stature, the plant's height is highly variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 3 m, with an average plant height of approximately 2 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.01 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Oplopanax elatus is characterized by significant morphological variation in its foliar structure, which plays a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and metabolic efficiency. The leaf dimensions exhibit a wide range of developmental plasticity, with leaf lengths typically averaging 22.5 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 15 cm to a maximum of 30 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width displays a mean measurement of 22.5 cm, oscillating between a minimum width of 15 cm and a maximum width of 30 cm. This symmetrical distribution between length and width dimensions suggests a robust leaf architecture designed to optimize light interception within its natural habitat. The ability to scale leaf surface area within these specific parameters allows the plant to regulate transpiration rates and gas exchange effectively, supporting its overall physiological vigor and medicinal potency.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length mean:

22.5 cm

Leaf length min:

15 cm

Leaf width max:

30 cm

Leaf width mean:

22.5 cm

Leaf width min:

15 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Oplopanax elatus is characterized by a specific flowering window and the development of distinct fruiting structures. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in July. During this stage, the plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.08 m to a maximum of 0.18 m. Following pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit specific dimensional characteristics; the fruit length varies from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1.2 cm, with an average length of approximately 0.95 cm. Similarly, the fruit width ranges from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1.2 cm, maintaining a mean width of 0.95 cm.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

1.2 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.95 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.95 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.18 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.08 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Oplopanax elatus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Scientific reports
2. Journal of biotechnology

Chemicals

Oplopanax elatus has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Betulin, Gallic acid, IL-6, Lupeol.

Flavonoid

1. Journal of biotechnology
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Betulin

1. Scientific reports

Gallic acid

1. Journal of biotechnology

IL-6

1. In vitro cellular & developmental biology. Animal

Lupeol

1. Scientific reports

NO

1. In vitro cellular & developmental biology. Animal

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Scientific reports

Prostaglandin E2

1. In vitro cellular & developmental biology. Animal

RUTIN

1. Journal of biotechnology

Medicinal Uses

Oplopanax elatus has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cardiovascular disease, neurasthenia, schizophrenia.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations