| Zanthoxylum rhoifolium | |
|---|---|
| | |
| A leaf of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium with many pairs of leaflets | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Zanthoxylum |
| Species: | Z. rhoifolium |
| Binomial name | |
| Zanthoxylum rhoifolium | |
Zanthoxylum rhoifolium is a species of tree in the family Rutaceae. [1] It is known by the common names mamica de cadela, [2] tambataru, [3] and prickly ash. [3] [4] It is native to Central and South America. [1] [5] [6] It is a common tree on the Cerrado. [7]
This species is a deciduous tree reaching up to 12 meters in height. [7] It produces a spherical black capsule about half a centimeter in length and width containing small, hard-coated seeds. [7]
The tree is not shade tolerant, so it can be found in open areas in and around forests. [7]
This is a medicinal plant. The bark is used to treat toothache and earache. [2] It is used as an anti-inflammatory. [5] It is used to treat malaria. [5] [8] [9] Parts of the plant also have antibacterial [4] and fungicidal [10] action.
It contains nitidine, an alkaloid with anti-malarial action. [9] It is of commercial value as a component of herbal remedies for malaria. [5]