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Leander, Bruce
Zanthoxylum fagara (L.) Sarg.
Lime prickly ash, Colima
Rutaceae (Rue Family)
USDA Symbol: ZAFA
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Evergreen shrub or small tree with spreading rounded crown, often with a leaning trunk; aromatic, spiny, with tiny gland-dots on foliage, flowers, and fruit.
The powdered bark and leaves have a sharp taste and have been used also as a spice. The crushed foliage has an odor of limes, as the common names suggest.
From the Image Gallery
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , GreenBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: FL , TXNative Distribution: Central and S. Florida, Florida Keys, and S. Texas; also N. Mexico; to 500 (152 m).
Native Habitat: Chaparral & brush country
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Aromatic, Fruits ornamentalUse Wildlife: Browse, Nectar-insects, Cover, Nesting site, Fruit-birds
Use Food: The fruit is edible, with a lemon zest taste that first tingles, then numbs in the mouth, like the Chinese culinary ingredient, Szechuan pepper, also a Zanthoxylum species. Dried, ground leaves are sometimes used as a spice and have a similar taste and effect.
Use Medicinal: All visible plant parts have the ability to numb the mouth in high amounts, and in small amounts cause a refreshing tingling, which has led to this Zanthoxylum species being a common ingredient in natural toothpastes and tooth powders, usually identified as Prickly Ash. It is also used to numb mouth pain, with the bark being most commonly employed.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Zanthoxylum fagara is a larval host and/or nectar source for:|
Northern Sicklewing (Eantis tamenund)  Larval Host |
From the National Suppliers Directory
According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Plant Nursery - Sanibel, FL
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1060 Collected 2011-07-10 in Cameron County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Zanthoxylum fagara in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Zanthoxylum fagara in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Zanthoxylum fagara
Metadata
Record Modified: 2010-04-19Research By: TWC Staff
