Prickly-Ash
Zanthoxylum americanum
Photo by Jen Neal
Summary
Prickly ash is an aromatic, spiny, thicket-forming deciduous shrub or small tree that, as the common name suggests, resembles (particularly in leaf) an ash with prickles. It is not an ash, however, but a member of the citrus family (Rutaceae). Another common name for prickly ash is ‘toothache tree’, because Native Americans chewed the bark or fruits, which produced a numbing effect, for relief from toothache pain.
All parts of this small native tree have a lemony fragrance. In the landscape, it is most useful for hedgerows, screens, or naturalized woodland areas.
More Details
FAMILY
Rutaceae (Rue)
BLOOM TIME
April-May
FLOWER
White, green
MATURE SIZE
15-25 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
Sun, part sun
SOIL CONDITIONS
Average to calcareous soils
NATIVE STATUS
PA Native
Ecosystem Connections
Prickly ash is the larval food plant for giant swallowtail and tiger swallowtail butterflies. Its flowers are greenish-yellow, inconspicuous but fragrant, and are quite attractive to bees. Female flowers give way to clusters of reddish-brown, berry-like fruits (follicles) which mature in late summer and are eaten by many birds and small mammals.