This Caribbean tree is White Prickle, Zanthoxylum martinicense.

It is a member of the citrus family, and its leaves may release a sharp, citrus-like scent when crushed. The leaves are compound, with several glossy leaflets arranged along a central stalk.

The trunk and branches may carry stout prickles, especially on younger trees. These help explain the common name and make the tree easy to recognize even when it is not flowering or fruiting.

Its flowers are small and pale, appearing in clusters. Male and female flowers may occur on separate trees. After pollination, the fruits split open to reveal dark, shiny seeds that may hang briefly against the reddish inner surface.

White Prickle is native to the Caribbean and grows in both dry and moist forests. It can develop into a medium-sized tree and is often found on rocky hillsides and in secondary woodland.

Like other species of Zanthoxylum, it contains aromatic oils and has a long history of traditional use. But its most obvious feature in the landscape is the combination of fragrant foliage, compound leaves, and prickly bark.

It is not a showy tree, but it is a distinctive and useful part of the native Caribbean forest.