Szechwan pepper, Sichuan peppercorn
Zanthoxylum simulans

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 6 m high. It is a broad spreading shape. The bark is grey with cone shaped processes over it. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 20 cm long and there are about 11 leaflets. They are oval and glossy green. There can be some prickles on the upper surface. The stalk has prickles. The flowers are small and green. They occur in clusters 5 cm across. The fruit are small and round. They are warty and have a strong aroma. They are 5 mm across. They are green and ripen to red. On drying they split open to reveal shiny black seeds. Probably now Zanthoxylum bungeanum.

There are about 200 Zanthoxylum species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to China. It grows in mountain woods and thickets. It suits hardiness zones 5-8.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Slovenia, Taiwan

How it is used for food

The fruit is dried and toasted and used as a condiment either whole or ground to a powder. It is used for making seasoned peanut oil and for stir-fried dishes.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit - spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chinese pepper, Flat-spine prickly ash, Hua-chiao, Prickly ash, Sichuan pepper, Ye hua jiao

Synonyms

Probably now Zanthoxylum bungeanum.