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Zanthoxylum

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Zanthoxylum acanthopodium.jpg


Plant Characteristics
Habit   shrub

Lifespan: ⌛ perennial
Origin: ✈ N & S America, Africa, Asia, Australia
Cultivation
Exposure: ☼ sun, part-sun
Water: ◍ moist
Scientific Names

Rutaceae >

Zanthoxylum >



Read about Zanthoxylum in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Zanthoxylum (Greek, xanthos, yellow, and xylon, wood). Also spelled Xanthoxylum. Including Fagara. Rutaceae. Ornamental woody plants chiefly planted for their handsome foliage and for their ornamental fruits.

Deciduous or evergreen shrubs, sometimes sarmentose, or trees, with usually prickly branches; most parts, particularly the frs., emitting a strong aromatic odor when bruised: lvs. alternate, odd-pinnate, 3-foliolate or rarely simple: fls. dioecious or polygamous, small, in cymes or panicles; sepals, petals, and stamens 3-8, sepals often wanting; pistils 3-5: fr. composed of 1-5 separate small dehiscent caps., each with 1-2 shining black seeds.—The genus contains about 150 species in the tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres, and a few in temperate regions. Several species are used medicinally. The wood of some W. Indian species and that of the Australian Z. brachyacanthum is considered valuable. The frs. of Z. piperitum are used like pepper in Japan.

The zanthoxylums in cultivation are prickly shrubs or rarely small trees with mostly deciduous odd-pinnate, medium-sized or rather small foliage and small greenish or whitish flowers in small, rarely large, axillary or terminal clusters, followed by usually reddish small pods disclosing lustrous black seeds at maturity. Z. americanum is the only species which is hardy North, while the species from eastern Asia, as Z. schinifolium, Z. Bungei, and Z. alatum var. planispinum, have proved fairly hardy in favorable positions as far north as Massachusetts, the first being the hardiest, but they probably will be perfectly hardy in the Middle Atlantic states. They do not seem to be particular as to the soil, but grow best in a well-drained soil and sunny position. Propagation is by seeds and by suckers or root-cuttings.

Z. ailanthoides, Sieb. & Zucc. Tree, attaining 60 ft.: branches with numerous short prickles: lvs. 1-4 ft. long; lfts. oblong-ovate, glabrous, glaucous beneath, 3-6 in. long: fls. and fr. in terminal corymbs. Japan. This is called by Sargent one of the most beautiful trees of Japan. — Z. clava-Herculis, Linn. (Z. carolinianum, Lam.). Toothache Tree. Pepperwood. Small very prickly tree, 30 or occasionally 50 ft.: lfts. 7-17, ovate-lanceolate, pubescent beneath when young, 1 – 2 1/2 in. long: fls. and fr. in terminal panicles. April, May. S. Va. to Fla. and Texas. S.S. 1:29.—Z. dissitum, Hemsl. Scandent shrub, to 12 ft. or more: rachis usually with hooked prickles: lfts. 6-15, coriaceous, petioled, elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, entire, lustrous above, often prickly beneath, 3-6 in. long: fls. in axillary panicles 2-5 in. long, with sepals and petals: stamens long-exserted: fr. crowded, yellowish brown; seeds over 1/4 in. long. Cent. and W. China. This and the two following species have been recently intro. from China.—Z. Piasezkii, Maxim. Allied to Z. piperitum. Shrub, to 10 ft.: lfts. 7-15, ovate or obovate to oblong, slightly crenulate or nearly entire, quite glabrous, 1/3 - 1 in. long: fls. in small corymbs; style short: fr. warty, reddish. W. China.—Z. stenophyllum, Hemsl. Scandent shrub, to 6 ft.: rachis usually with many slender hooked prickles; lfts. 7-13, ovate-oblong to lanceolate, denticulate, glabrous, 1 1/2 - 3 in. long: fls. in terminal loose corymbs, 2-3 in. across, with petals and sepals: stamens long-exserted: fr. reddish, beaked: seeds 1/5 in. long. W. China. Has not proved hardy at the Arnold Arboretum.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


deciduous or evergreen. spiny. shrubs and trees. pinnate leaves. aromatic bark. attractive habit. handsome foliage. aromatic foliage.

some grown for fruits, (dried and used for spices). Some have medicinal value. some have fine timber.

Cultivation

Some species are frost hardy, some frost tender. Need fertile, moist soil with good drainage. Full sun to part shade. Pruning usually unnecessary, but you can shape young plants in early spring.

Propagation

Seed, cuttings and rooted suckers.

Pests and diseases

Do you have pest and disease info on this plant? Edit this section!

Species

Widespread genus of around 250 species.

Select species:

Gallery

  • Zanthoxylum clava-herculis

  • Zanthoxylum clava-herculis - leaves

  • Zanthoxylum clava-herculis - fruits

  • Z. hawaiiense

  • Z. kauaense

  • Habitus of leafless plant

  • Branches of leafless plant showing knobs

References

External links


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