White Prickle

Scientific name: Zanthoxylum martinicense

POWO Status: Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

GPS Location: 17° ″ N, 64° ″ W

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Medicinal Uses

Zanthoxylum martinicense (also known as ‘Espino Rubial’ or ‘Prickly Ash’ species) is traditionally used across the Caribbean and Latin America for pain (toothache, rheumatism, muscle), inflammation, digestive issues (stomachache, colic), fevers, and wound healing, with its bark, leaves, and aerial parts commonly used in decoctions or pastes for ailments like diarrhea, heart conditions, and as a general tonic. The genus Zanthoxylum is rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, and other compounds with proven anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, and antioxidant properties, supporting its diverse medicinal applications. 

Common Medicinal Uses

  • Pain Relief: A primary use is for toothaches, headaches, body aches, muscle pain, and rheumatism, often applied topically or taken as a drink.
  • Digestive Health: Used for stomachaches, flatulence, colic, and diarrhea.
  • Fever & Inflammation: Acts as an antipyretic (fever reducer) and anti-inflammatory agent.
  • Wound Healing: Leaves and pastes are used to heal sores and wounds.
  • Circulatory Issues: Supports blood flow, beneficial for conditions like cold extremities and peripheral vascular issues.
  • Infections: Traditionally used for various infections, including parasitic, bacterial, and viral diseases, as well as for malaria symptoms. 

How It’s Used

  • Preparations: Decoctions (teas), infusions, powders, and pastes from the bark, leaves, seeds, and aerial parts.
  • Application: Taken orally, used as a mouthwash, or applied topically as a poultice. 

Active Compounds & Benefits

  • Phytochemistry: Contains alkaloids (like berberine), coumarins, flavonoids, and essential oils.
  • Pharmacology: These compounds provide anti-cancer, anti-sickling, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, and hepatoprotective effects, validating traditional uses.

Observations:

Phenological Markers: White Prickle (Zanthoxylum martinicense)

Scientific Name: Zanthoxylum martinicense (or Z. flavum / Z. monophyllum, depending on species)
Common Names: White Prickle, Prickly Ash, Yellow Sanders, Yellowwood
Family: Rutaceae (Citrus family)
Native Range: Caribbean, Central America, northern South America
Status in the Virgin Islands: Native; found in dry forests, coastal scrub, and rocky hillsides

🌳 Tree Characteristics

  • Height: Typically 3–10 meters (10–33 feet)
  • Trunk and Bark: Pale yellowish bark with corky spines or prickles on trunk and branches
  • Leaves: Alternate, usually pinnately compound with 3–9 small, shiny, oval leaflets; citrus-scented when crushed
  • Flowers: Small, greenish-yellow or whitish, borne in loose clusters; unisexual (separate male and female flowers)
  • Fruit: Small, rounded capsules that split open to release black seeds; aromatic and resinous

📆 Phenological Markers

Spring (March–May)

  • Leaf Flush: Fresh new leaves appear; reddish when young, turning shiny green
  • Flowering Begins: Tiny greenish-white flowers emerge in loose inflorescences, often before full leaf-out

Summer (June–August)

  • Peak Flowering: Small flowers attract bees and other insects; male and female flowers may appear on separate trees
  • Fruit Set: Fruit capsules begin to form—small, green, and later turning reddish or brown
  • Canopy: Moderate shade, often open and irregular; leaves remain relatively small and spaced

Fall (September–November)

  • Fruit Maturation: Capsules dry and split open to reveal shiny black seeds; fruit is aromatic and slightly sticky
  • Seed Dispersal: Seeds may fall near parent tree or be moved by birds or small mammals

Winter (December–February)

  • Dry Season Adaptation: May shed some or most of its leaves during extended drought
  • Dormancy: Reduced metabolic activity; bark and twigs remain greenish or yellow-brown with visible spines

👁️ Observation Tips

  • Bark and Spines: Distinctive pale bark with blunt prickles—excellent ID marker year-round
  • Leaf Aroma: Crush a leaflet to detect citrus or resinous scent
  • Fruit Clusters: Small round capsules often persist into the dry season; splitting to reveal shiny black seeds
  • Wildlife: Watch for pollinators during bloom and birds during fruiting

🌿 Ecological and Cultural Notes

  • Ecological Role:
    • Important nectar source for native bees
    • Fruits attract birds
    • Provides browse for wildlife during dry spells
  • Traditional Uses:
    • Bark and leaves used in folk remedies for toothache, digestion, and inflammation
    • Known as a “toothache tree” in some cultures for its numbing properties

⚠️ Conservation Notes

  • Resilience: Drought-tolerant and adapted to rocky, dry soils; fire-resistant bark
  • Threats: Habitat loss due to development; occasionally cut for its aromatic wood
  • Conservation Priority: Low risk but valuable in native plant restoration and ethnobotanical education
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