Zanthoxylum piperitum
| Zanthoxylum piperitum | |
|---|---|
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| Zanthoxylum piperitum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Zanthoxylum |
| Species: | Z. piperitum |
| Binomial name | |
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Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) DC |
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Zanthoxylum piperitum, called Japanese pepper, chopi, or Korean pepper in English and sanshō (Japanese: 山椒) in Japanese, is a deciduous aromatic spiny shrub or small tree, belonging to the Rutaceae (citrus and rue) family. Natural range spans from Hokkaido to Kyushu in Japan, southern parts of the Korean peninsula, and Chinese mainland. The related Z. schinifolium (Japanese: イヌザンショウ pron. inuzanshō, lit., "dog sansho") occurs as far south as Yakushima, attaining a height of 3 meters.
It is an important host plant for several Japan indigenous swallowtail butterfly species, including the common Papilio xuthus.
In Japanese, the name sanshō(山椒) refers to Z. piperitum, and the name inuzanshō(犬山椒, "dog sanshō") refers to Z. schinifolium. In Korean, the cognate name sancho(산초) refers to Z. schinifolium, and the name gaesancho(개산초, "dog sancho") refers to Z. armatum. In Korea, Z. piperitum is called chopi(초피). In Japan, Z. armatum var. subtrifoliatum, which is a variety of Z. armatum, is called fuyuzanshō(冬山椒, "winter sanshō").
The tree blooms in April to May, forming axillary flower clusters, about 5mm, and yellow-green in color. It is dioecious, and the flowers of the male plant can be consumed as hana-sanshō, while the female flowers yield berries or peppercorns of about 5mm.
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