Zanthoxylum americanum Mill.

Tall shrub, or rarely a small tree to 8 m, with prickly stems, paired pseudostipular prickles, and strongly aromatic foliage; lfls 5–11, oblong to elliptic or ovate, pubescent beneath at least when young; fls in sessile, umbel-like, precocious axillary clusters on branches of the previous year; sep none; pet yellow-green, fringed at the tip; ovaries 3–5; follicles stipitate, ellipsoid, 5 mm, the surface pitted; 2n=68, 136. Moist woods and thickets; s. Que. to e. N.D., s. to S.C., Ga., and Okla., but only irregularly e. of O. and nw. N.Y.

Along riverbanks and in moist ravines, thickets, and woods. It is also found in somewhat drier areas such as upland rocky hillsides, bluffs, and open woods.

The seeds are cooked and used as a pepper substitute.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.