description
Zanthoxylum americanum (sometimes written Xanthoxylum americanum) is shrub or small
tree of the Rutaceae (citrus) family.
This aromatic plant can reach heights of 33 feet (10 m) with its trunk diameter—at roughly breast height (DBH)—being around 6 inches (15 cm).
The tree has pinnately compound leaves with 5–11 membranous leaflets. These dark green leaves are
bitter-aromatic, with crenate (round-toothed or scalloped) margins.
Prickly Ash tree also has axillary flower and fruit clusters. Its buds are hairy and new berries are red, but turn deep
blue to black, with stalked fruit pods. Flowers are dioecious, with
yellow-green petals.
common names & nomenclature
Prickly Ash tree has a distinctive bark with sharp projections that resemble horns, which has given rise to the common names that include "prickly".
Also known as:
northern prickly ash, szechuan pepper, yellow wood, toothache tree, common prickly-ash, common pricklyash, common prickly ash, suterberry, xanthoxylum americanum