Toothache Tree
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
A native tree that bites back, and can numb a toothache. Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, the toothache tree or Hercules' club, is a small to medium deciduous tree of the citrus family, native along the coastal Southeast from Virginia to Florida and Texas. The genus name Zanthoxylum means yellow wood, and the species clava-herculis, the club of Hercules, names the stout, spiny, club-shaped trunk that is the tree's signature.
Everything about the plant is armored and aromatic. Shiny, pinnately compound leaves smell of citrus when crushed, the trunk and branches carry sharp conical spines set on corky, wart-like projections, and greenish-yellow spring flowers give way to reddish capsules that split to shiny black seeds. The seeds are aromatic and tingling, close kin to the Sichuan peppercorns of another Zanthoxylum, and birds take them readily.
The toothache tree carries a deep ethnobotanical record. Native Americans and early settlers chewed the bark, leaves, and twigs to numb the mouth and ease toothache, the use behind the name; see the medicinal notes below. The plant is also the larval host of the giant swallowtail butterfly, whose caterpillars feed on the citrus-scented leaves, so a single tree can raise a season of swallowtails.
Set the toothache tree as a distinctive specimen in a wildlife or native garden, a naturalized edge, or a xeric planting in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant and tough once established, the tree asks little, though the fierce spines earn a spot back from paths and play areas. A curiosity with real garden and ecological value.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 6–10
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 20–35 Feet · Spread 12–15 Feet
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Seasonality
- Deciduous
Small greenish-yellow clusters, spring
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is shared for traditional and educational interest only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before any medicinal use.
- Traditional use only; not a substitute for dental or medical care
- Avoid during pregnancy without professional advice
- Handle with care; the tree is sharply thorny
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.