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Common Name:

General Information

Oplopanax japonicus is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 3.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

The plant is densely armed with spikes and these spikes are irritant[]. Although no specific mention has been seen for this plant, it belongs to a genus where the species are usually rich in calcium oxylate, this is toxic and if consumed makes the mouth and digestive tract feel as though hundreds of needles are being stuck into it. However, calcium oxylate is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant.

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Japan.

Habitat

Moist woods, especially by streams[] and usually in rich soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a cool moist soil[, ]. Prefers a position in light shade[]. Prefers dense shade and is probably best if grown in moist woodland[, ]. Tolerates maritime exposure[]. (Rather a strange report for a plant that needs to be grown in dense shade[])
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c, but the young shoots in spring can be damaged by late frosts[, ]. It is therefore best not grown in a frost pocket[].
This species used to be included in O. horridus as the Japanese form of that species, but it has recently (1991) been recognised as a distinct species[].
A very ornamental plant, but it is densely armed with spikes[]. It transplants easily and also tolerates pruning[].
The leaves and stems are excessively spiny[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - peeled and then cooked[, , , ]. Only the very young shoots are used[].
The roots can be chewed after peeling[, , ].

Medicinal

The root bark and stems are analgesic, antiphlogistic, antirheumatic, hypoglycaemic and tonic[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division of suckers in the dormant season.
Root cuttings in a greenhouse in the winter[].