Zanthoxylum rhoifolium | |
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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 known by the common names mamica de cadela, [1] tambataru, [2] and prickly ash. [2] [3] It is native to South America. [4] [5] It is a common tree on the Cerrado. [6]
This species is a deciduous tree reaching up to 12 meters in height. [6] It produces a spherical black capsule about half a centimeter in length and width containing small, hard-coated seeds. [6]
The tree is not shade tolerant, so it can be found in open areas in and around forests. [6]
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] [7] [8] Parts of the plant also have antibacterial [3] and fungicidal [9] action.
It contains nitidine, an alkaloid with anti-malarial action. [8] It is of commercial value as a component of herbal remedies for malaria. [4]