Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Sichuanpeper, Szechuanpeper, Prickly ash, Sichuan pepper, Huajiao, 花椒

Family: Rutaceae (Rue family)

Distribution: Noord- en Midden-China

Life form: Tree

Comments: This spiny shrub has feather-shaped compound leaves. The small flowers are male or female. The fruits are red and pimply. When they open, a black shiny seed appears. The powder made from the rind of the fruit is one of the ingredients of five-spice powder together with star anise (Illicium verum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). The dried peel of the fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine as Huajiao (花椒), to relieve pain, soothe itching and fight worms.