Oplopanax
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 Oplopanax horridus
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Oplopanax is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Araliaceae, consisting of three species of deciduous shrubs, native to western North America and northeastern Asia. Oplopanax is closely related to the Asian genus Fatsia.
The species have spiny stems, large palmately lobed leaves, and whitish or greenish flowers occurring in terminal panicles. The fruit is a small spherical red drupe, popular with birds.
Oplopanax species are closely related to American Ginseng, and have been clinically shown to possess medicinal qualities. Native Americans used the plant both as food and medicine. The plant was traditionally used by Native Americans to treat adult-onset diabetes and a variety of tumors. Clinical studies have verified the plants effectiveness as a treatment for the early stages of diabetes. Extracts of the plants young shoots also have been clinically shown to be effective against a variety of cancers.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1
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