Devil's Walkingstick

Description:

This plant gets its common name from the wicked spines that grow along the previous years' leaf scars. This small specimen has fruit that is transitioning from green to black. As the fruit ripens, the stem becomes more pink as well. The fruit was supposedly very important in Native American food and culture, and therefore is presumably edible - but I am not personally aware of this being used as a food plant in a more modern context.

Habitat:

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV Native Distribution: FL to e. TX, n. to NY & Ohio R. valley; naturalized northward Native Habitat: Open woods; thickets; flood plains; rocky pastures

Notes:

Spotted along the Bear Creek Trail Ellijay GA