Oplopanax japonicus

Flower name
Oplopanax japonicus
Scientific name
Oplopanax japonicus
Alias針蕗
Place of originChina, the Russian coast, and the Korean Peninsula
Place of floweringSub-alpine
Flowering seasonMay

What is Oplopanax japonicus

Oplopanax japonicus or Haribuki (scientific name: Oplopanax japonicus) is a deciduous shrub of the family Araliaceae and genus Oplopanax, which is native to Japan and bears tubular red berries similar to those of Arisaema serratum. It grows naturally in Hokkaido, Honshu, and Shikoku in somewhat dimly lit areas under subalpine forests. The tree is 100 cm tall. The leaves have a long petiole and are tipped with green, 30-40 cm long, palmate leaves with serrated edges, which are attached to the stem in alternate clusters. The trunk, leaves and stems are densely covered with sharp spines. It is dioecious. In summer, numerous small greenish-white flowers in conical inflorescences extend from the stem tips. It bears numerous red berries from late summer to autumn.

Origin of flower name
The name "Oplopanax" is derived from the fact that the leaves resemble butterbur and have spines (needles) all over them. The genus name "Oplopanax" is derived from the Latin words "hoplon (weapon)" and "Pan (all)" + "akos (cure)" = "panacea" meaning "ginseng. The species name "japonicus" means "Japanese.

Language of flowers
Courage", "Strength to face difficulties

Common name: Japanese silver leafed butterbur, scientific name: Oplopanax japonicus, aliases: Jigokubara, Devil's Club, plant kingdom: Japan, habitat: Hokkaido - Honshu - Shikoku, living environment: subalpine forests in dimly lit areas, habitat type: deciduous, subterranean, subalpine forests in slightly Life Form: Deciduous shrub, Height: 50-100 cm, Leaf Color: Green, Leaf Shape: Palmate (5-9 deeply lobed), Leaf Length: 30-40 cm, Leaf Edge: heavily serrate, Inflorescence: alternate, Dioecious, Flowering Period: June - July, Inflorescence Form: conical, Flower Color: greenish white, Flower Diameter: small, Fruit Maturity: August - September, Fruit Color: red, Notes: Stem and Leaf Use: Root and leaves for medicinal purposes.