PlantFiles: Bois de Poivre
Zanthoxylum heterophyllum

An extreme;y heterophyllous plant with distinctive spiny small leaves when young.
Forms an elegant loose canopy tree which can tlerate both dry coastal zones and wet humid environments.
Seeds may be poisonous although enjoyed by birds
Will not survive temperatures below 50 F
An endemic plant of the Mascareignes found in both coastal lowland forests and in upland rainforest remnants

Zanthoxylum hetehophyllum is a rare example of an endangered plant in the Macarenes that have been saved. Endemics to Reunion and Mauritius island. Now available in nursery.It has a very decorative and attractive foliage when young. Spinny with black spines on the trunk or main stem ( which tend to grow upwards )and are brown on branches and underneath leaves.