Devil's walking-stick
Oplopanax horridus
Last reviewed: October 2026
Devil's walking-stick (Oplopanax horridus) is a perennial shrub native to ID, MI, MT, OR and 1 more states. It blooms in May and June. The flowers draw bees and flies.
Toxicity unknown
Devil's walking-stick (Oplopanax horridus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
high
Size
36"–120" H × 36"–96" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
ID, MI, MT, OR and 1 more states
Pollinators
bees, flies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A large, spiny-stemmed shrub with huge maple-like leaves and small clusters of white flowers followed by bright red berries. Densely armed with sharp spines on stems and leaf undersides, giving it a wild, unkempt look best kept away from foot traffic in wet forest understory.
Growing Devil's walking-stick
Grow Devil's walking-stick in part shade and high water. Mature plants reach 36 to 120 inches tall and spread 36 to 96 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Red berries are an important late-summer food source for bears and birds, and the flowers support native bees and flies.
Common questions
- How much sun does Devil's walking-stick need?
- Devil's walking-stick grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Devil's walking-stick bloom?
- Devil's walking-stick blooms in May and June.
- Where is Devil's walking-stick native?
- Devil's walking-stick (Oplopanax horridus) is native to ID, MI, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Devil's walking-stick attract?
- Devil's walking-stick draws bees and flies.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Devil's walking-stick? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.