Prickly Ash – Zanthoxylum americanum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Zanthoxylum americanum is a deciduous shrub or small tree known for its compound leaves and prickly branches.

Leaves: The leaves are pinnately compound with serrated leaflets.

Thorns: It has stout, sharp thorns on the branches.

Fruit: It produces clusters of small, red berries.

Bark: The bark is grayish and rough.

Habitat: It is commonly found in woodlands and along streams.

Distribution: Common prickly ash is native to North America.


Small single-stemmed shrub up to 10′ that is covered in sharp thorns. A member of the Citrus family, Prickly ash bears smaller than pea sized berries that have a sharp citrus smell and will cause numbing of the mouth if eaten.

Occurrence
Widespread on the property and while native, is considered invasive due to the thorns and spreading habit.