Hercules' Club
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
user:MPF
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rutaceae
- Genus:
- Zanthoxylum
- Species:
- Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
- USDA Symbol:
- ZACL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes), Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Eastern Giant (Heraclides cresphontes)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, swallowtail caterpillar host
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots and root crown following fire. Common in fire-maintained coastal and upland habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to southeastern U.S. woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification. Fresh seed germinates best; viability decreases with storage.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Scarify, then cold-moist stratify for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI