https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/239890051
The organism I observed today is devil's club or s’axt’ in Lingit. Its scientific name is Oplopanax horridus. I went out to Lena Beach here in Juneau and this is one of the first organisms I saw surrounding the pavilion. I also noticed that all the leaves were facing towards the break in the forest above.
Its stem and leaf veins are covered in prickly spines all along them. Devil’s club also has small white leaves in the spring that then turn into bright red berries towards the end of the summer. It can be found in wet and shady forests along the coasts of southern Alaska to central Oregon. It can also be found along the Yukon in Canada, Montana, and Idaho.
Although its prickly spines can cause a lot of skin irritation if in contact with it, it has a lot of human uses. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. All parts of the plant are used like the bark, wood, roots, berries, etc. Some of the common medicinal uses of devil’s club is arthritis, the flu, sores, postpartum childbirth, diabetes, lice, dandruff, etc. Since it is found in so many areas, the Indigenous peoples of those lands have found so many different uses for it because of its different properties.
Not only does this plant have tons of medicinal properties, but it is also known to be used for spiritual reasons in a lot of Indigenous cultures. It is widely known to be used to purify, cleanse, protect against harmful spirits, and bring good luck. Some people put the stem above the door frames in their houses while others chew fresh bark, or take baths with the bark.
Cites used:
http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbalgram/issue62/article2697.html
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OPHO
Comments
I really appreciate how you have included the Lingit name for Devil's Club because I believe that it truly helps connect everything we are doing and learning through this class. I know nothing about s’axt’ other than the fact that it hurts/ burns after you touch it, so I enjoyed learning more about it through you. I also wouldn't have ever known that some of its leaves turn into red berries. I have no idea why this is surprising me as much as it is, but I truly appreciate learning all of this. It's also so amazing that s’axt’ is used in so many different things even though it can cause skin irritation when brushed up against in the wild.
Hey Markayla,
I enjoyed reading your write-up of Devils Club. I have a friend who has some early onset arthritis and one of the things that help her most is the homemade salve that she and her mother make. It was interesting to read all the other things that this plant can help with, it sounds as it's great for all kinds of things you wouldn't expect to find from a plant with a name like 'Devils Club'. It was also neat to learn about the Indigenous aspects, that is attached to Devils Club. Personally, my only use for the plant has been as a snack in the spring when the new leaves are only buds.
I don't really know a lot about plant biology, so this was great to read about! I had a general idea about the medicinal properties of s’axt’ but I didn't know it was antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. It sounds like it's so useful in a variety of ways and the cultural and spiritual uses of it are fascinating too. This information makes me think about the forest ecosystem as a whole and how there are so many plant and fungi species that have medicinal and spiritual value; and how having an understanding of the ecosystems around us brings us closer to the land around us.
Thanks for all of the information you provided, Markayla, about a common plant in southeast Alaska. Many of us have probably seen this plant, but may not have known any of what you shared with us, so great job helping us learn a bit more about the neighbors with which we share these lands!
Also, lovely work including the sources you used for your information! During Week 4 we will learn about MLA Format, and starting that week you will be required to include your sources using those MLA Format guidelines. That means it will be essential that you include in-text citations as well. I mention in now just so everyone knows there will be that important change coming which impacts your Journal entries.
Best,
Professor Brooke
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