Restricted plant view
Zanthoxylum capense (Thunb.) Harv.
| Zanthoxylum capense is a small multi-branched tree about five metres in height, but it can reach ten metres or more under favourable conditions. The bark on young branches is smooth with straight dark brown thorns. On older branches and stems the bark is light to dark grey and scattered with straight sharp spines. The presence of thick, cone-shaped knobs or thorns on the stems and bole are a characteristic feature of this tree. Leaves are glossy dark green with clear oil glands in the scalloped margin. They are borne in clusters on short side branches and have a strong citrus smell when crushed. The greenish white flowers are inconspicuous and have a sweet smell. The fruit is produced in clusters. They are small, up to 5 mm in diameter, round, orange-brown in colour and covered with glands. Green fruit turns red when ripe. The ripe fruit capsule splits open to reveal a single black, oil-rich seed. The seed (pip) tastes sour, lemony and acrid, leaving a burning sensation that lingers on the tongue for some time. |
References: 1 Roberts, M. (1990). Indigenous healing plants. Southern Book Publishers,South Africa. 2 South African National Biodiversity Institute. (2012). Zanthoxylum capense (Thunb.) Harv. 3 Van Wyk, B-E. and Gericke, N. (2007). People’s plants: a guide to useful plants of southern Africa. Briza, Pretoria. |