Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It is slender and scrambling. It has hooked prickles. The leaves have stalks. There are an odd number of leaflets. There are usually 7 leaflets. They are 2-11.5 cm long by 0.5-4.5 cm wide. They are oval and taper to the tip. They have teeth and are dotted with glands. The flowers are stalked. The flowers are purplish in branched heads.

There are about 200 Zanthoxylum species.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. In Nepal plants grow between 2100-2800 m altitude. They grow in open, rocky slopes. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Tibet

How it is used for food

The fruit are pickled and are also used as spice. They are included in curry. The tender shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit - spice, shoots, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or branch cuttings.

In China plants flower in May and June and fruit September to October.

Its other names

Local names

Ban timur, Bhainsi timur, Bhansi timur, Boketimur, Jaiur-blai, Leuer, Lahara timur, Laharay timbur, Mezenga, Mezenga, Mownum, Onger, Pattachana, Prayer, Siritakdangji, Suri, Timar mazenga, Timur, Ting yi

Synonyms

Fagara oxyphylla (Edgeworth) Engler; Zanthoxylum alpina C. C. Huang; and others