Zanthoxylum simulans aka Chinese Pepper

Zanthoxylum simulans, also known as the Chinese-pepper, Chinese prickly-ash, or flatspine prickly-ash, is a flowering plant in the Rutaceae family. Native to eastern China and Taiwan, it is a medium to large deciduous shrub or small tree that can reach a height of 7 meters. The bushy, spiny plant has ash-like leaves that are up to 8 cm long, consisting of 7-11 broad leaflets. In early summer, it produces flat-topped sprays of small, yellow-green flowers, followed by clusters of small red fruits that split open to reveal black seeds. Both the leaves, bark, and fruit of Zanthoxylum simulans have a pleasing aroma. This particular species is one of the several Zanthoxylum plants used to produce Sichuan pepper.