devil's walking stick
A tall spiny shrub or small tree with thorns up the stem.
Also called devil's walkingstick, Hercules' club.
Updated September 21, 2026
devil's walking stick pronunciation
/DEV-ulz WAW-kin stik/
Meaning
Country name for Aralia spinosa, also called Hercules' club. It grows along woods edges, pastures, and creek banks in the South and Appalachia. The club-like stalk is covered in sharp spines, so you learn fast not to grab it bare-handed while cutting brush or hunting.
How folks use it
- “Watch that devil's walking stick when you climb through the fencerow.”
- “There's a thicket of devil's walking stick down by the branch.”
Origin and etymology
Named for the fierce spines that make the stem look like a walking stick only the devil would carry. Native across much of the eastern U.S. Scientific name Aralia spinosa. Folk names also include Hercules' club and prickly ash (though that last name gets shared with other plants).
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called devil's walking stick?
Because the stem is stiff and packed with thorns. It looks like a wicked walking stick.