Zanthoxylum beecheyanum, commonly known as Chinese Pepper or Beechey’s Prickly Ash, is a deciduous tree native to Eastern Asia, specifically found in a variety of habitats including forests, thickets, and valleys. It typically grows at a moderate rate to a height and width of 15-20 feet (4.6-6 meters). This species is characterized by its pinnate leaves and spiny branches, with small, yellow, inconspicuous flowers that bloom in the spring. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they give way to small, aromatic fruits that are sometimes used as a spice.

Chinese Pepper is appreciated for its aromatic foliage and fruits, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine. It is also valued for its ornamental spiny branches and can be used in gardens as a unique specimen or barrier plant. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade and adapts to a range of soil types, including clay, loam, or sandy soils, with medium or fast drainage. It is drought-tolerant once established and has medium water requirements. While generally pest-resistant, it can be susceptible to scale insects and root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0