Common Name:

General Information

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides is a prickly shrub or low-branching shrubby, very prickly tree usually growing up to 12 metres tall, occasionally to 16 metres[, ]. The bole is armed with large, woody thorns that fall as the tree grows older[].
The tree provides medicines, food flavourings timber and other commodities for the local people. It is sometimes planted[].

Known Hazards

The bark of the roots and stems is toxic[].

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Senegal to Nigeria.

Habitat

Savannah, thickets, dry and transitional forests, forest patches on dry ground, secondary dry forests; coastal dunes and thickets; termite mounds; locally abundant in coastal areas[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

The seeds are used as a pepper-like condiment[].

Medicinal

The bark is aromatic and sudorific[].

The seeds are soaked in water and used in the treatment of rheumatism[].

The plant (part not specified) is appetizer and galactagogue[].

Other Uses

The seeds are used as beads in necklaces[].

Young shoots and twigs are used as chew-sticks to clean the teeth and maintain oral hygiene[].

The yellow wood is close-grained and extremely hard. It is durable and termite-proof[].

Propagation

Seed -

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