Common Name:

General Information

Zanthoxylum riedelianum is a deciduous tree with a dense, globose crown[]. One of the tallest trees of the lower Peruvian Amazon, where it an grow up to 40 metres or more tall, it can be just 8 - 18 metres tall in the drier forests and savannahs further south[, ]. The straight, cylindrical bole has small buttresses, it can be 55cm in diameter and free of branches for up to 18 metres[]. The bark is more or less covered with corky cushions, each one ending in a sharp prickle[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of timber. It can be grown as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland, and is an ornamental tree that is suitable for landscaping - it is particularly conspicuous when in bloom[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia; C. America - Costa Rica.

Habitat

Dense growth in rainforests in dry medium loams[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	30.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations from near sea level to over 800 metres.
Prefers a sunny position[]. Succeeds in most soils[].
A fast-growing tree, able to reach a height of 3 metres within 2 years from seed[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is scraped then placed in water and boiled. The decoction is used to wash the legs as a liniment to relieve pain. It is also sometimes drunk and is said to have a bitter flavour[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing tree, and a natural pioneer within its native range, it can be used in reforestation projects to restore native woodland[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is oatmeal-coloured or pale yellow with extensive greyish areas caused by stain; the thick band of sapwood is nearly white. The texture is medium or rather coarse; the grain straight; there is no distinctive odour or taste. The wood is light in weight; soft, but firm and strong; not very durable. It is easy to work and cut, but requires a sharp knife to cut smoothly across the grain, takes a fairly smooth finish. Growth rings are absent or inconspicuous[] It is suitable for general carpentry[]. The wood is used for internal finishes such as ceilings, frames etc; for light cabinet making; and for tool handles and agricultural implements[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A low germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 40 - 70 days[]. When the seedbed-sown seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 9 - 10 months later[].

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