Plant Details

Zanthoxylum simulans

Szechuan Pepper, Chinese-pepper, Prickly Ash

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Common names

17 names · 11 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Chinese Prickly-ash[1]
  • Chinese-pepper
  • Prickly Ash
+2 more namesShow fewer names
  • Sichuan Pepper[1]
  • Szechuan Pepper
Other languages (10)
Dutch
  • Chinese peperboom[1]
  • Sichuanpeper[1]
French
  • Poivre de Sichuan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • žlutodřev čínský[1]
Japanese
  • オオザンショウ[1]
Korean
Polish
  • żółtodrzew zwodniczy[1]
Russian
  • Зантоксилюм подражающий[1]
Slovak
  • žltodrev klamný[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 simulans — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Source records
  • Sichuan Pepper — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • Chinese Prickly-ash — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • 刺花椒 — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • žlutodřev čínský — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • オオザンショウ — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • 野花椒 — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • Зантоксилюм подражающий — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • 野花椒 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • Chinese peperboom — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • Sichuanpeper — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • żółtodrzew zwodniczy — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • 왕초피 — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.
  • žltodrev klamný — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 170408; Zanthoxylum simulans.

General information

Scientific name: Zanthoxylum simulans
Accepted name (Kew): Zanthoxylum simulans Hance 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: Szechuan Pepper, Chinese-pepper, Prickly Ash
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 7.92–14.94 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 3.05–6.71 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Dense, Erect, Rounded, Spreading, Vase

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Dappled Sunlight, Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Condiment
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Fragrant

Description

The fruit of this plant is dried and used as a spice. It has a paprika flavor that is stronger and sharper than black pepper. The fruit can be used whole or ground into powder as a flavoring. Lightly roasting it brings out the flavor even more. It is an important ingredient in the well-known Chinese 'five-spice blend.'

Harvest

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

Crown

Crown shape: Wide and flat-topped
Sources [3]
Crown density: Dense crown

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 580561; name ID 2469033; Zanthoxylum simulans Hance.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

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

    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 1497703, ID 5CWQT: Zanthoxylum simulans Hance (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Zanthoxylum simulans — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Crown shapeHeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Crown shape: Description: crown architecture
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 26 ft. 0 in. - 49 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 22 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .