prickly ash

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• American prickly-ash
• northern prickly-ash
• toothache tree
• prickly-ash
• common prickly ash
• northern prickly ash
• prickly ash
• common prickly-ash

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Thylax fraxineum
• Mioptrila odorata
• Zanthoxylum fraxineum
• Zanthoxylum fraxinifolium
• Zanthoxylum ramiflorum
• Zanthoxylum mite
• Zanthoxylum americanum f. armatius
• Zanthoxylum americanum f. impuniens
• Zanthoxylum clava-herculis var. americanum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Sapindales and the family Rutaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Zanthoxylum, specifically as the species Zanthoxylum americanum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range spanning across parts of North America. In Eastern Canada, its presence is noted in the provinces of Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Québec. Moving into the North-Central United States, the species can also be found within the state of Illinois. Additionally, its distribution extends into the state of Iowa. Together, these locations highlight the specific regional habitats where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Zanthoxylum americanum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody shrub or small tree, it follows a life cycle that involves established vegetative growth phases followed by seasonal reproductive cycles. Its perennial nature enables it to develop complex root systems and robust woody structures that facilitate survival through varying climatic conditions. During its maturation, the plant undergoes periodic cycles of flowering and fruiting, contributing to its long-term presence within its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zanthoxylum americanum is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree or shrub, typically reaching an average height of approximately 10.06 m. It functions as a self-supporting plant, requiring no external structures for climbing, and maintains an independent existence as it is not a parasite or an epiphyte, thriving in terrestrial environments rather than aquatic or semiaquatic habitats.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10.06 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Xanthoxylum americanum is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO. As a deciduous woody shrub, its metabolic processes are closely tied to seasonal environmental shifts, involving active transpiration and nutrient cycling regulated by its vascular system. The plant's physiological vigor is supported by its ability to manage gas exchange through stomatal regulation, optimizing water use efficiency while maintaining the carbon assimilation necessary for growth and the synthesis of its characteristic secondary metabolites.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Zanthoxylum americanum is characterized by a specialized dispersal mechanism and specific seed morphology. The species primarily utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the movement of its seeds. Regarding the physical properties of its reproductive units, the seeds exhibit a relatively small mass, with a measured mean seed mass of approximately 0.01429375 g. The variation in seed size is documented through a minimum seed mass of 0.010875 g and a maximum seed mass of 0.0177 g, reflecting a narrow but distinct range in weight for its progeny.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed mass max:

0.0177 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01429375 g

Seed mass min:

0.010875 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Zanthoxylum americanum has 29 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alloxanthoxyletin, Xanthoxyletin, Xanthyletin, (+)-Laurifoline, Asarinin.

Alloxanthoxyletin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Xanthoxyletin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Xanthyletin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

(+)-Laurifoline

1. Dr. Duke

Asarinin

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Candicine

1. Dr. Duke

Cnidilin

1. Dr. Duke

Dipetaline

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Herclavine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Zanthoxylum americanum has 244 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, (+)-Inotropic, 12-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, Abortifacient.

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

(+)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

12-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenolytic

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenostimulant

1. Dr. Duke

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke