Zanthoxylum americanum Mill. - Prickly Ash


 

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Zanthoxylum americanum - (image 1 of 7)

 

Taxonomy

Family: Rutaceae

Habitat

Wooded areas. Forms thickets along wooded borders. Often found in woods with a history of grazing.

Associates

 

 Distribution

 

Morphology

 

Notes

Flowers mid April to early June

Wetland indicator: Upland

The generic name is also spelled Xanthoxylum. The shiny black seed is surrounded by a leathery, aromatic covering (hesperidium) that smell like oranges. It is said to numb the mouth but in my experience it is more pain than numbness. The sensation lasts for about 15 minutes and causes excessive salivation.

Bibliography

Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.

 


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 Michael Hough © 2005