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Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum)
Prickly ash are noted for having an organic pan-tropical distribution. Most species of this genus produce leaves that are spikey and emit an odor when crushed. Prickly ash have evergreen and deciduous members that are sometimes cultivated as ornamentals. Some of the species are harvested for their edible fruit or wood.
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About Prickly ash
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Attributes of Prickly ash
Leaf type
Deciduous
Scientific Classification of Prickly ash
Distribution of Prickly ash
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Distribution Map of Prickly ash
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Prickly ash
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Prickly ash, a versatile plant genus, is relatively low maintenance and adaptable to various conditions. It thrives in well-draining, fertile soil and moderate to high light. Watering needs vary but it prefers soil to partially dry between waterings. Temperature tolerance varies across species, with some withstanding frost while others need a warmer climate. Common challenges include pests like aphids and scale insects, and diseases like canker. Regular pruning is often required to maintain its shape. Seasonal considerations involve reducing watering in winter while increasing in hot summer months.
Exploring the Prickly ash Plants
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8 most common species：
Japanese prickly ash
The tree blooms in spring forming axillary flower clusters about 5 mm and yellow-green in color. It is dioecious and the flowers of the male plant can be consumed as hana-sanshō while the female flowers yield berries or peppercorns of about 5 mm. Around fall the berries turn scarlet and burst scattering the black seeds within. The branch grows pairs of sharp thorns and has odd-pinnately compound leaves alternately arranged with 5〜9 pairs of ovate leaflets having crenate (slightly serrated) margins.
Hercules' club
The hercules' club or Zanthoxylum clava-herculis is a unique tree with spiny crowns growing out of the bark. It is also known as the Toothache Tree or the Tongue Tickle because chewing on the bark of this tree will cause a numbing sensation in the mouth.
Common prickly-ash
Common prickly-ash (Zanthoxylum americanum) is a small deciduous tree that grows in dense thickets and features compound leaves that resemble an ash tree's foliage. Common prickly-ash leaves are green but turn yellow in fall. Fragrant inconspicuous flowers bloom in spring followed by small red berries that turn black as they ripen. It prefers full sun and is often used as a barrier in poor soil conditions.
Lime prickly ash
Lime prickly ash (Zanthoxylum fagara) is a small shrub or tree that can grow to be 7 m tall. Lime prickly ash is also known as wild lime. This species is native to Texas and Florida in the United States.
Small knobwood
The small knobwood is a multi-branched tree that can reach up to a height of 5 m. It has glossy green leaves with sharp spines, smooth bark, cone-shaped knobs, and brown thorns. It attracts the emperor swallowtail and other butterfly species, as the larvae feed on the leaves. The fruits are also eaten by baboons and vervet monkeys.
Chinese prickly ash
Chinese prickly ash is a fragrant, deciduous shrub from China and Japan that has small black fruits that can be dried and used as a pepper-like spice. This spice is commonly used in Sichuan cuisine in China. Because of this, the species is sometimes called Sichuan pepper tree.
Japanese prickly ash
The height is 6 to 8 m, sometimes up to 15 m. It has much larger leaves than ordinary salamanders. Like the salamander, the leaves have oil spots and a unique aroma. Black seeds are exposed with red berries and have a unique scent. The leaves are odd-numbered icy double leaves. The shape of the leaf is similar to elder / shinju.
Shiny-leaf prickly-ash
Shiny-leaf prickly-ash is a resilient, aromatic shrub with a shiny appearance, deriving its luster from glossy, lance-shaped leaves. Its distinctive bark bristles with prickly spines, a trait evolved for deterrence in its native forest undergrowth. This plant produces small, clustered flowers, which in turn give way to fragrant fruits, sought after by various wildlife, thereby playing a role in ecosystem balance.
All Species of Prickly ash
Japanese prickly ash
Japanese prickly ash
The tree blooms in spring forming axillary flower clusters about 5 mm and yellow-green in color. It is dioecious and the flowers of the male plant can be consumed as hana-sanshō while the female flowers yield berries or peppercorns of about 5 mm. Around fall the berries turn scarlet and burst scattering the black seeds within. The branch grows pairs of sharp thorns and has odd-pinnately compound leaves alternately arranged with 5〜9 pairs of ovate leaflets having crenate (slightly serrated) margins.
Hercules' club
Hercules' club
The hercules' club or Zanthoxylum clava-herculis is a unique tree with spiny crowns growing out of the bark. It is also known as the Toothache Tree or the Tongue Tickle because chewing on the bark of this tree will cause a numbing sensation in the mouth.
Common prickly-ash
Common prickly-ash
Common prickly-ash (Zanthoxylum americanum) is a small deciduous tree that grows in dense thickets and features compound leaves that resemble an ash tree's foliage. Common prickly-ash leaves are green but turn yellow in fall. Fragrant inconspicuous flowers bloom in spring followed by small red berries that turn black as they ripen. It prefers full sun and is often used as a barrier in poor soil conditions.
Lime prickly ash
Lime prickly ash
Lime prickly ash (Zanthoxylum fagara) is a small shrub or tree that can grow to be 7 m tall. Lime prickly ash is also known as wild lime. This species is native to Texas and Florida in the United States.
Small knobwood
Small knobwood
The small knobwood is a multi-branched tree that can reach up to a height of 5 m. It has glossy green leaves with sharp spines, smooth bark, cone-shaped knobs, and brown thorns. It attracts the emperor swallowtail and other butterfly species, as the larvae feed on the leaves. The fruits are also eaten by baboons and vervet monkeys.
Chinese prickly ash
Chinese prickly ash
Chinese prickly ash is a fragrant, deciduous shrub from China and Japan that has small black fruits that can be dried and used as a pepper-like spice. This spice is commonly used in Sichuan cuisine in China. Because of this, the species is sometimes called Sichuan pepper tree.
Japanese prickly ash
Japanese prickly ash
The height is 6 to 8 m, sometimes up to 15 m. It has much larger leaves than ordinary salamanders. Like the salamander, the leaves have oil spots and a unique aroma. Black seeds are exposed with red berries and have a unique scent. The leaves are odd-numbered icy double leaves. The shape of the leaf is similar to elder / shinju.
Shiny-leaf prickly-ash
Shiny-leaf prickly-ash
Shiny-leaf prickly-ash is a resilient, aromatic shrub with a shiny appearance, deriving its luster from glossy, lance-shaped leaves. Its distinctive bark bristles with prickly spines, a trait evolved for deterrence in its native forest undergrowth. This plant produces small, clustered flowers, which in turn give way to fragrant fruits, sought after by various wildlife, thereby playing a role in ecosystem balance.
Winged prickly ash
Winged prickly ash
Winged prickly ash (Zanthoxylum armatum) is a climbing shrub or tree that is the source of the edible Chinese spice green Sichuan pepper. An essential oil known as wartara oil is also extracted from the plant. This bushy shrub has ornamental appeal for its glossy leaves and bright berries.
Lime prickly ash
Lime prickly ash
Lime prickly ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis subsp. fruticosum) is a species of tree native to the southeastern United States. As these trees mature, they spread into thickets of hedge-like shrubs. The trunks and branches are both spiny, and the leaves, bark, and flowers are all aromatic when damaged. The leaves are a favorite food of swallow-tail butterfly larvae.
Szechuan Pepper
Szechuan Pepper
Szechuan Pepper is a small tree with leaves similar in appearance to Ash (Fraxinus). The aroma emitted from its fruit, bark, and leaves is one of the features responsible for its gross popularity as an ornamental. It was given its common name "Chinese pepper" as it is frequently used as a substitute for pepper in the Far East.
Chinese prickly ash
Chinese prickly ash
Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum) is named for its natural distribution from the Himalayas to China. In China, this plant is a culturally important ingredient in traditional dishes, and its use dates back over 2,000 years. This large shrub can be recognized by its dark red berries.
Zanthoxylum scandens
Zanthoxylum scandens
Zanthoxylum scandens is a climbing or sprawling shrub with a robust, woody stem. It features pinnate leaves with serrated leaflets and bears small, clustered flowers. Unique to this species are its aromatic bark and foliage, which give off a distinct scent when crushed, possibly to deter herbivores. In its native habitat, zanthoxylum scandens often thrives in the undergrowth, relishing partial sunlight and well-draining soil.
Zanthoxylum avicennae
Zanthoxylum avicennae
Zanthoxylum avicennae is characterized by its aromatic, pinnate leaves and conspicuous thorns. This shrub or small tree thrives in well-drained soils, often in subtropical regions. Its small clusters of yellow-green flowers contribute to the local ecosystem, while the bark and fruits are sometimes utilized in traditional medicine. Zanthoxylum avicennae's resilience in varying environmental conditions highlights its evolutionary adaptations.
Zanthoxylum dissitum
Zanthoxylum dissitum
The zanthoxylum dissitum can be found at higher altitudes throughout several provinces in China. These plants are mostly found growing in thickets and forest-type environments. Some species of Zanthoxylum are used for bonsais and as spices.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Prickly ash
Zanthoxylum
Prickly ash are noted for having an organic pan-tropical distribution. Most species of this genus produce leaves that are spikey and emit an odor when crushed. Prickly ash have evergreen and deciduous members that are sometimes cultivated as ornamentals. Some of the species are harvested for their edible fruit or wood.
Lifespan
Perennial
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Key Facts About Prickly ash
Feedback
Attributes of Prickly ash
Leaf type
Deciduous
Scientific Classification of Prickly ash
Distribution of Prickly ash
Feedback
Distribution Map of Prickly ash
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Prickly ash
Feedback
Prickly ash, a versatile plant genus, is relatively low maintenance and adaptable to various conditions. It thrives in well-draining, fertile soil and moderate to high light. Watering needs vary but it prefers soil to partially dry between waterings. Temperature tolerance varies across species, with some withstanding frost while others need a warmer climate. Common challenges include pests like aphids and scale insects, and diseases like canker. Regular pruning is often required to maintain its shape. Seasonal considerations involve reducing watering in winter while increasing in hot summer months.
Exploring the Prickly ash Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Japanese prickly ash
The tree blooms in spring forming axillary flower clusters about 5 mm and yellow-green in color. It is dioecious and the flowers of the male plant can be consumed as hana-sanshō while the female flowers yield berries or peppercorns of about 5 mm. Around fall the berries turn scarlet and burst scattering the black seeds within. The branch grows pairs of sharp thorns and has odd-pinnately compound leaves alternately arranged with 5〜9 pairs of ovate leaflets having crenate (slightly serrated) margins.
Hercules' club
The hercules' club or Zanthoxylum clava-herculis is a unique tree with spiny crowns growing out of the bark. It is also known as the Toothache Tree or the Tongue Tickle because chewing on the bark of this tree will cause a numbing sensation in the mouth.
Common prickly-ash
Common prickly-ash (Zanthoxylum americanum) is a small deciduous tree that grows in dense thickets and features compound leaves that resemble an ash tree's foliage. Common prickly-ash leaves are green but turn yellow in fall. Fragrant inconspicuous flowers bloom in spring followed by small red berries that turn black as they ripen. It prefers full sun and is often used as a barrier in poor soil conditions.
Lime prickly ash
Lime prickly ash (Zanthoxylum fagara) is a small shrub or tree that can grow to be 7 m tall. Lime prickly ash is also known as wild lime. This species is native to Texas and Florida in the United States.
Show More Species
All Species of Prickly ash
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
