Zanthoxylum nitidum
an evergreen member of the Zanthoxylum genus in the family Rutaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Genus
- Zanthoxylum
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants are slightly toxic[4].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The root is anodyne, antiphlogistic, carminative, depurative[4][7]. The plant is analgesic and antirheumatic[7]. The resin contained in the bark, and especially in that of the roots, is powerfully stimulant and tonic[9].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Antiphlogistic
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Stimulant
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant is used as an insecticide, it is also toxic to fish[7].
- Product or use
- Insecticide
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China.
- Habitat
- Shrubby thickets[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Stored seed may requires up to 3 months cold stratification, though scarification may also help[3]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible. Germination should take place in late spring, though it might take another 12 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Root cuttings, 3cm long, planted horizontally in pots in a greenhouse. Good percentage[8]. Suckers, removed in late winter and planted into their permanent positions[3].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a good deep well-drained moisture retentive soil in full sun or semi-shade[1][2][5]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Flowers are formed on the old wood[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-4781-4
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X