Zanthoxylum piperitum

Sechuan peper, Kiespijnboom, Tomarzaad / Japanese pepper tree

Rutaceae (wijnruitfamilie)

Asia (east)

Back View cultivars and rootstocks

Edible plant part (2)

Fruits, leaves
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

None

Japanese pepper tree belongs to the small trees-large shrubs in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a mid species. The growth rate is slow. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 6 to 8 meter. and a width of 3 to 4 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is half-open. It loses its leaves in september.
This species forms a heart-shaped shallow root system. This species is non spreading in the food forest. Japanese pepper tree is no nitrogen fixer.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Alpsdake, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zanthoxylum_piperitum_%28fruits_s3%29.jpg

foto: Alpsdake, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zanthoxylum_piperitum_%28fruits_s3%29.jpg

foto: Alpsdake, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zanthoxylum_piperitum_%28Mount_Fujiwara%29.jpg

foto: Alpsdake, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E3%82%B5%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%82%A6_Zanthoxylum_piperitum_%28seed_s3%29.jpg

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

neutral

alkaline

very alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): early may, mid may, end of may, end of june
Flowering period (length): several weeks
Pollination vector: insects
Plant reproductive fertility: self-fertile (sf)

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

very resistant

Main serious pests and diseases

none applicable

Harvest and Consumption

Fruits

Leaves

Harvest location edible part: Above reach, high, but within reach
Harvesting period - start: Early july, mid july, end of july, end of september
Harvesting period - length: Several months
Harvesting period - uniformity: High
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Natural storability: Several days
Suitable markets: Niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 3
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 10
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 15
Productive life span - end (year) - maximum: 110

Harvest location edible part: Above reach, high, but within reach
Harvesting period - start: Early may, mid may, end of may, early july, mid july, end of july, early august, mid august, end of august
Harvesting period - length: Several months
Harvesting period - uniformity: High
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Natural storability: Several days
Suitable markets: Niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 3
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 10
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 15
Productive life span - end (year) - maximum: 110

Culinary appreciation

Berries: highly valued, can be dried or eaten fresh, with a tangy, tingling citrus flavor. Leaves: ginger-lemon flavor, suitable for fermentation or use fresh.

References