Zanthoxylum americanum – Toothache Tree – 1-Quart

A small tree in the citrus family – yes, this is a relative of lemons, limes and oranges. Because of its preference for calcareous soils it occurs primarily in the Hudson Valley in our area. Thorny twigs are covered with chartreuse flowers that give rise to ornamental red fruits that split open to reveal lustrous black seeds on female trees. The fruits are attractive to birds. Giant Swallowtail caterpillars feed on this species – formerly unknown in the Catskills, this butterfly is being seen increasingly – help support it by planting this small tree in your yard.