Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of tree or shrub: "Prickly ash" refers to any of several trees or shrubs belonging to the genus Zanthoxylum, characterized by having branches with spines or thorns.
   • A specific Australian tree: It can also refer specifically to a tree native to Australia, noted for its leaves which are simple in mature form but can be pinnate (with leaflets arranged on either side of a stem) and have prickly-toothed edges when young, and which produces slender clusters of white flowers.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The forest understory was dense with prickly ash, making hiking difficult.
  • Native Americans historically used the bark of the northern prickly ash for medicinal purposes.
  • The prickly ash is not a true ash tree but is named for its similar-looking leaves.

Advanced Usage

• "Toothache tree": A common name for some species of prickly ash, as the bark was traditionally chewed to relieve toothache pain.
  • Because of its numbing effect, the prickly ash is often called the toothache tree.

Variants and Related Words

• Zanthoxylum (n): The botanical genus name for prickly ash and related plants like Szechuan pepper.
• Hercules'-club or Toothache Tree (n): Common names for specific species of , such as .

Synonyms

• Zanthoxylum: The scientific genus name.
• Toothache tree: A descriptive synonym highlighting one traditional use.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term "prickly ash" is primarily a botanical/common name and does not have idiomatic or phrasal verb uses. Its meaning is consistently tied to the specific group of spiny plants in the genus . It should not be confused with true ash trees (genus ).

Noun

1. Australian tree having alternate simple leaves (when young they are pinnate with prickly toothed margins) and slender axillary spikes of white flowers
2. any of a number of trees or shrubs of the genus Zanthoxylum having spiny branches