Bungeanum Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum)

Family: Rutaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Zanthoxylum bungeanum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in). The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Seed - used as a condiment, a pepper substitute. Highly prized. The fruit is rather small but is produced in clusters which makes harvesting easy. Each fruit contains a single seed. — Seed - used as a condiment, a pepper substitute.; The fruit is rather small but is produced in clusters which makes harvesting easy.; Each fruit contains a single seed.

Habitat & North American Range

Waysides and thickets to 2000 metres in W. China. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)