Plant Details

Zanthoxylum schinifolium

Peppertree

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Zanthoxylum schinifolium.

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Common names

13 names · 10 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Mastic-leaf prickly ash[1]
  • Peppertree
Other languages (9)
Dutch
  • Sichuanpeper
French
  • Poivrier du Sichuan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 翼柄花椒[1]
  • 香椒、青花椒、山椒、狗椒[1]
Finnish
  • idänlimopuu[1]
Japanese
  • イヌザンショウ[1]
Korean
  • 산초나무[1]
Russian
  • Зантоксилюм схинусолистный[1]
Slovak
  • žltodrev pieprovníkolistý[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Zanthoxylum schinifolium — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • イヌザンショウ — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 473422; Zanthoxylum schinifolium.
  • 翼柄花椒 — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 473422; Zanthoxylum schinifolium.
  • 산초나무 — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 473422; Zanthoxylum schinifolium.
  • Mastic-leaf prickly ash — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 473422; Zanthoxylum schinifolium.
  • Зантоксилюм схинусолистный — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 473422; Zanthoxylum schinifolium.
  • 香椒、青花椒、山椒、狗椒 — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 473422; Zanthoxylum schinifolium.
  • 青花椒 — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 473422; Zanthoxylum schinifolium.
  • 崖椒 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 473422; Zanthoxylum schinifolium.
  • idänlimopuu — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 473422; Zanthoxylum schinifolium.
  • žltodrev pieprovníkolistý — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 473422; Zanthoxylum schinifolium.

General information

Scientific name: Zanthoxylum schinifolium
Accepted name (Kew): Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold & Zucc. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Rutaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Zanthoxylum (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Peppertree

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: Deciduous

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-9
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Condiment, Leaves
Edibility rating:
(2)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Parasiticide

Description

The fruit of this plant is dried and used as a spice due to its flavor, which is similar to paprika but stronger and sharper than black pepper. It can be used whole or ground as a seasoning, and a light roasting enhances the flavor even further. This ingredient is an essential part of the well-known Chinese 'five spice' mixture.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 206927; name ID 2470623; Zanthoxylum L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 202133; name ID 2468981; Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold & Zucc..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Zanthoxylum schinifolium

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1497691, ID 5CWQF: Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold & Zucc. (accepted).

    Source checked on .