5. Zanthoxylum
L. (prickly ash)
(D. M. Porter, 1976)
About 200
species, North America to South America, Caribbean Islands, Africa, Asia to
Australia, and Pacific oceanic islands.
A number of Zanthoxylum
species are used medicinally by various cultures within their native ranges,
principally for antimicrobial and pain-relieving properties of the bark and
fruit extracts, and as a tonic. A few species, such as Z. piperitum DC.
(Japanese pepper) and Z. simulans Hance (Sichuan pepper), are cultivated
for their spicy fruits, which are used in some Oriental cuisines, especially as
a condiment.