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Prickly Ash

Zanthoxylum americanum

Published on Project Noah
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35.1054, -92.5448

Field Notes

Description:

This is only the second location I've encountered Prickly Ash/Toothache Tree in Arkansas. Their spikes fascinate me every time. They are also referred to as Yellow Tree, Toothache Bark, Pepper Wood, Common Pricklyash, Prickly elder, and Angelica tree. The bark is very medicinal and is used in western medicine as well as ancient medical practices. It has numbing properties that have been used to aid with toothaches, hence the name. Here is a good article on their properties: https://urbol.com/prickly-ash-barks/

Habitat:

Found on a rocky slope in dense woods of hackberry, oak, loblolly pine, hickory, and others. This was the only Prickly Ash I found on this trip, but I will be keeping my eyes out for others next time.

Reference Links:

common pricklyash-Encyclopedia of Life, Zanthoxylum americanum - Wikipedia, Plants Profile for Zanthoxylum americanum (common pricklyash)

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
Brian38
Mathew I had given up on it and had put it on the back burner. Your spotting hopefully will get some recognition!!
Matthew Hammond
Wow, they're actually not that common here according to range maps! That's awesome. And you're welcome, these are so striking and it took forever to learn their name!
Brian38
Mathew I'm so glad you posted this tree! My last trip to Arkansas I found one of these and I had no idea what it was. Very nice spotting!

Spotted for Missions

Plants of the South East, USA
Mission
Mission WILD
Mission
Wild Arkansas
Mission
Foraging Arkansas

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Photographed
PublishedSeptember 25, 2019

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