Zanthoxylum rhoifolium

Zanthoxylum rhoifolium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Zanthoxylum
Species: Z. rhoifolium
Binomial name
Zanthoxylum rhoifolium
Lam.

Zanthoxylum rhoifolium is a species of flowering plant in the citrus family known by the common names mamica de cadela,[1] tambataru,[2] and prickly ash.[2][3] It is native to South America.[4] It is a common tree on the Cerrado.[5]

This species is a deciduous tree reaching up to 12 meters in height. It produces a spherical black capsule about half a centimeter in length and width containing small, hard-coated seeds. The tree is not shade tolerant, so it can be found in open areas in and around forests.[5]

This is a medicinal plant. The bark is used to treat toothache and earache.[1] It is used as an anti-inflammatory.[4] It is used to treat malaria.[4][6][7] It contains nitidine, an alkaloid with anti-malarial action.[7] It is of commercial value as a component of herbal remedies for malaria.[4] Parts of the plant also have antibacterial[3] and fungicidal[8] action.

References