◀ dern

devil’s walking stick

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "devil’s walking stick" is the name for a tall, thorn-covered plant (Aralia spinosa). With its spindly stalk and wicked spines, it looks like something the devil might use for a cane.

#Appalachia #Nature #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've only known it as 'devil’s walking stick,' and it'll mess you up. Pop a tire on your tractor even, it's loading with rigid stickers.

Pronunciation

[DEV-uhlz waw-kin stik]

Meaning & Usage

- A thorny tree or shrub (Aralia spinosa) (noun)

Mae:

Watch out - that’s a devil’s walking stick.

Earl:

I hear ya. Those stickers’ll light you up.

other spellings: Aralia spinosa, prickly ash (regional overlap), toothache tree, Hercules’ club, devil’s cane, and thorn cane

★ Despite its wicked thorns, the plant has long been used in folk medicine for toothaches and stomach troubles. Some folks also call it Hercules’ club, but in the hills it’s usually the "devil’s walking stick." ★

Origin

The name comes from the plant’s spiny, cane-like stalk, which looks like a devil’s cane. The species (*Aralia spinosa*) is native to the eastern U.S., especially Appalachia and the South, and the colorful nickname stuck in country speech.

Notes

Common in Appalachian and Southern woods, fence rows, and pastures. Kids are often warned about it by this name. Less common in everyday talk today, but still well known in rural areas.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "devil’s walkin’ stick." The "g" in "walking" often drops.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is the devil’s walking stick dangerous?

Not poisonous, but the thorns are sharp and painful.

Is it only an Appalachian term?

Strongest in Appalachia and the South, though recognized elsewhere.

Do people still say it today?

Yes - especially in rural families who know the plant firsthand.