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Project Noah Nature School
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
Small tree with cone-like bumps on the trunk that are topped by thorns. On older trees the thorns disappear. Clusters of greenish flowers in spring. Shiny leaves.
Sun to dappled shade. Drought tolerant. Often an understory tree. Various soils. I have one in full sun, another in high shade. Both do well.
Member of citrus family. Spicy scent. Larval plant of giant swallowtail butterfly. Fruits attract birds. Leaves contain a chemical compound that produces a numbing sensation in the mouth if chewed. Native Americans and early settlers chewed the leaves to relieve toothaches, and mothers rubbed them on their babies, gums to ease teething pain.'
Spotted on Apr 9, 2012
Submitted on Apr 13, 2012
1 Comment
Oh nice spotting! I've seen the toothache tree occasionally around south Alabama.