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Zanthoxylum fagara (Lime prickly ash)
Pyle, Lynn

Zanthoxylum fagara

Zanthoxylum fagara (L.) Sarg.

Lime Prickly Ash, Colima

Rutaceae (Rue Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ZAFA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

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

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 20 feet tall.
Fruit: Brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: FL , TX
Native Distribution: Central and S. Florida, Florida Keys, and S. Texas; also N. Mexico; to 500' (152 m).
Native Habitat: Chaparral & brush country

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Aromatic, Fruits ornamental
Use 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)

Northern Sicklewing
(Eantis tamenund)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU FAC
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1060 Collected 2007-07-09 in Cameron County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Bibliography

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

Additional resources

USDA: Find Zanthoxylum fagara in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Zanthoxylum fagara in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Zanthoxylum fagara

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-03-29
Research By: TWC Staff

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