Hercules’ Club
(Zanthoxylum clava-herculis)
Hercules’ Club (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis)
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Annika Lindqvist
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Annika Lindqvist
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Annika Lindqvist | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Annika Lindqvist | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-07-16T14:15:14-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, commonly known as Hercules’ club, is a deciduous tree or large shrub native to the coastal plains, pine barrens, and dry woodlands of the southeastern United States and Mexico. It can grow to a height of 10–17 meters with a rounded crown and is notable for its distinctive spined thick, corky lumps 2–3 cm long on the bark, which provide a unique texture. The leaves are pinnately compound, adding to the plant’s coarse texture. The small, fragrant flowers are dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female, and they appear in panicles up to 20 cm long. Each flower is 6–8 mm in diameter with 3-5 white petals, blooming in the spring. The fruit is a two-valved capsule with a rough surface, containing several small black seeds, and is attractive to birds.
Hercules’ club is valued for its unique bark, fragrant flowers, and ability to attract wildlife. It is used in naturalistic plantings, as a specimen in large gardens, and can be incorporated into xeriscaping due to its drought tolerance once established. It thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts to a range of soil types, preferring those with good drainage. While it requires medium amounts of water, it is relatively low maintenance once established. Gardeners should be aware that the spines can make handling difficult, and it may not be suitable for high-traffic areas.CC BY-SA 4.0
Hercules’ club is valued for its unique bark, fragrant flowers, and ability to attract wildlife. It is used in naturalistic plantings, as a specimen in large gardens, and can be incorporated into xeriscaping due to its drought tolerance once established. It thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts to a range of soil types, preferring those with good drainage. While it requires medium amounts of water, it is relatively low maintenance once established. Gardeners should be aware that the spines can make handling difficult, and it may not be suitable for high-traffic areas.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree, Shrub
- Height: 15-30 feet
- Width: 10-25 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to coastal plains, pine barrens, and dry woodlands of the southeastern United States
Other Names
Common Names: Hercules’-Club, Pepperbark, Pepperwood, Southern Prickly Ash, West Indian Yellowwood, Southern Prickly-Ash
Scientific Names: , Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, Fagara clava-herculis var. fruticosa, Zanthoxylum alveolatum, Zanthoxylum tweedyi,
GBIF Accepted Name: Zanthoxylum clava-herculis L.