Common Name:

General Information

Zanthoxylum coreanum is an erect, spiny, deciduous shrub that grows around 3 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild, and also cultivated, for used as a medicine, condiment and source of essential oil[]. It is sometimes also grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Korea

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally prefer a good deep well-drained moisture retentive soil in full sun or semi-shade[, , ].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Flowers are formed on the old wood[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw[].
The leaves, bark and fruit are used as a spice[]

Medicinal

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

The fruit pericarp is used in the treatment of a range of conditions, including ozena, nasal sinusitis, abnormal menstruation, dyspepsia, toothache, sore throat, pains in the limbs[].

The roots, stems and leaves contain the sterols sitosterol and campesterol, plus the alkaloid skimmianine and myristic acid[]

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the fruit[].

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[].