| Zanthoxylum fagara | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Zanthoxylum |
| Species: | Z. fagara |
| Binomial name | |
| Zanthoxylum fagara (L.) Sarg., 1890 |
|
| Synonyms | |
Zanthoxylum fagara is a species of flowering plant in the citrus family, Rutaceae that is native to southern Florida and Texas in the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America as far south as Paraguay.[1] Common names include Lime Prickly-ash, Wild Lime, Colima, Una de Gato, and Corriosa.[2]
It is a spreading shrub or small tree growing to 7 m (23 ft) tall. The trunk is generally rough with gray bark and grows to about 0.25 m (0.82 ft) in diameter. The irregularly-shaped branches contain hooked spines with pinnate 5 cm (2.0 in) leaves.[3] The leaves and bark can be crushed to make a bitter-tasting condiment, and much of the tree smells similar to citrus.[2] Lime Prickly-ash has a high drought tolerance and grows best in full sun, but it can also survive as an understory shrub. It provides significant food and cover for native wildlife and the leaves host the larvae of many butterflies, such as the Giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes).[4]