Image of Zanthoxylum americanum
Source: Meneerke Bloem
image of Deciduous Tree
Zanthoxylum americanum
Northern Prickly Ash
Clavalier d'Amérique

Obsolete Names

American prickly-ash
common prickly-ash
toothache tree
frêne épineux
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Yellow Bloom period: Apr - Apr
Max Height: 20.0 feet
Max Width: 15.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year Plant is dioecious Need a male and female plant to produce seeds
Gardener Experience:
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
hedge Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
drought Tolerant Tolerates drought conditions
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Zanthoxylum americanum
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Zanthoxylum americanum

  • Papilio cresphontes (Giant swallowtail)

Specialized Bees Supported by Zanthoxylum americanum

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)
  • Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)
  • Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian Olive)
  • Elaeagnus a umbellata (Autumn Olive)
  • Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan Balsam)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by December
  • Stratification duration: 120 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Soak for 24h.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: August
  • Harvesting indicator: Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting mean: Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.