Common Name: Szechuan Pepper

General Information

Zanthoxylum simulans is a prickly, deciduous shrub or small tree with a spreading habit; it can grow 2 - 6 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild and also cultivated for use as a spice and medicine. It is one of the sources of Sichuan pepper, which is widely used as a flavouring in parts of China. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and southeastern China

Habitat

Virgin wilds, hillsides and open woods[]. Plains or upland forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Zanthoxylum simulans grows wild in the temperate to subtropical regions of southern and eastern China, hardiness zones 7 - 9.
Easily grown in loamy soils in most positions, but prefers a good deep well-drained moisture retentive soil in full sun or semi-shade[, , ]. A plant has been growing well for many years in deep woodland shade at Cambridge Botanical gardens, it was fruiting heavily in autumn 1996[].
Flowers are formed on the old wood[].
The bruised leaves are strongly aromatic[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

The fruit is dried and used as a condiment[, , , ]. A pepper flavour, it is stronger and more pungent than black pepper[]. It can be used whole or ground into a powder and used as a table seasoning[]. A light roasting brings out more of the flavour[]. It is an ingredient of the famous Chinese 'five spice' mixture[].

Medicinal

The pericarp is anaesthetic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, parasiticide and vasodilator[, , ]. It is used in the treatment of gastralgia and dyspepsia due to cold with vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, ascariasis and dermal diseases[]. It has a local anaesthetic action and is parasiticide against the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium)[].
The pericarp contains geraniol. In small doses this has a mild diuretic action, though large doses will inhibit the excretion of urine[]. There is a persistent increase in peristalsis at low concentration, but inhibition at high concentration[].

The leaves are carminative, stimulant and sudorific[, ].

The fruit is carminative, diuretic, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[, ].

The seed is antiphlogistic and diuretic[].

A decoction of the root is digestive and also used in the treatment of snakebites[].

The resin contained in the bark, and especially in that of the roots, is powerfully stimulant and tonic[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

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[]. 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, mid summer in a frame.
Root cuttings, 3cm long, planted horizontally in pots in a greenhouse. Good percentage[].
Suckers, removed in late winter and planted into their permanent positions[].