Japanese pepper
Zanthoxylum acanthopodium

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A spiny shrub or a woody climber. The young branches are densely hairy. The leaves have stalks. They have an odd number of leaflets. The leaflets do not have stalks. The leaves are 1.5-5 cm long by 0.8-2 cm wide. They are oblong to sword shaped. They taper to the tip. They are hairy on both surfaces. There are 1 or 2 spines on the mid vein. The flowers are dark purple. The fruit are reddish. They are round and in dense clusters. The seeds are shiny black.

There are about 180-250 Zanthoxylum species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal plants grow between 1600-2800 m altitude. They grow in rocky places and hanging from cliffs. In southern China it grows in upland open forests between 1,400-3,200 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Seeds are pickled. The fruit are used for chutney and pickles. A powder of dried seeds is used for flavouring foods. They have a coriander-like spice. They are used as a substitute for pepper. The young leaves are cooked and eaten with rice. They are also eaten raw with chilli.

The leaves and fruit are sold in local markets. It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Seeds, spice, leaves - flavouring, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds or branch cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bhote timur, Bogay timur, Boketimur, Chy-inbawngla, Ci hua jiao, Darmar, Dieng-so-khlam, Ga, Honyor, Jaiur, Jangbawngla, Jigbawngla, Khaongashi, Khemomou, Lan-salat, Lingnamse, Lingnamsia, Matkat, Mekhat, Mo zi la, Mukthrubi, Nangryu pot, Nepali dhaniya, Singdi, Tabu, Tejphal, Thbyi-mangs, Timur, Tombul, Txiv siav, Yerchengma, Yokhung, Yuoga, Za bu ga biu

Synonyms

Zanthoxylum alatum Wall.;