365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Why They Call It Devil's-Club
Day 117: Some of my readers may not be familiar with this plant. You're the lucky ones. It's Devil's-Club, Oplopanax horridus. The stalks grow up to 10 feet in height and every square inch is covered in hard needle-like thorns. Likewise, the veins on the undersides of the leaves are heavily armed. One careless encounter, one quick grab to stabilize yourself is all it takes to demonstrate the reason for its common name. Pacific Northwesterners dread it more than nettles, blackberries or wild roses. In late summer, a panicle of red berries rises above the foliage, a fruit which is enjoyed immensely by bears. Lucky bear! His coat is too thick for the thorns to pierce, unlike your good Goretex jacket or your heavy trail pants.
Labels:
Devil's Club,
Longmire,
MORA,
Oplopanax horridus
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment