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Forest Shomer's avatar

I've never heard of "Opoponax" but I am intimately familiar with Oplopanax--the Latin name for the genus that is mostly known for "Devil's club", the heavily-armed shrub of coastal forests. "Panax" is an important botanical name because it includes various related plants in the ginseng family. For example, the native ginseng so hunted-out in eastern woods is Panax quinquefolium ("five leaf"). It is worth knowing that devil's-club is also medicinal. And has some remarkable qualities for anyone who can get past the devilish aspect of the numerous small spines that cover every twig and limb. It's a lot like being around beehives--once you learn how to get along with Oplopanax, it's very much an ally and not devilish by nature.

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Barbara Raphael's avatar

Reading this as I sit watching the glorious rain up here in the Yukon! Goog to hear your voice again!

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