Zanthoxylum ailanthoides var. ailanthoides(ailanthus-like prickly ash, "Karasuzansho")
Japanese name: カラスザンショウ（烏山椒） Scientific name:Zanthoxylum ailanthoides var. ailanthoides
[Overview]
A deciduous tree 6–8 m tall, up to 15 m in large specimens, found in secondary forests.
The stems bear irregularly arranged spines 2–3 mm long.
The leaves are alternate, odd-pinnately compound, 25–80 cm long, and consist of 11–21 leaflets.
The leaflets are lanceolate to elliptic, 7–15 cm long and 1.5–4 cm wide, with fine teeth on the margin.
It is dioecious.
Both male and female flowers are borne in large numbers in corymbs at the branch tips, 13–20 cm in both length and width.
The axis of the inflorescence is covered with short hairs.
The flowers are small, white and 5-petaled.
The fruit consists of 2–3 segments, each one an oblate sphere 5 mm long and grayish brown.
When ripe, the fruit splits open to reveal black seeds.
[Uses]
The fruit is used medicinally.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by grafting.
Plants grown from seed will include both males and females.
It prefers fertile, well-drained soil in sun to partial shade.
Strong direct sunlight in summer can cause leaf scorch.
Avoid dry places and places exposed to strong afternoon sun.
Rainfall is sufficient for watering unless sunny weather continues and the soil dries out.
Apply organic fertilizer in winter.
Pests and diseases include southern blight and the larvae of swallowtail butterflies.
