Zanthoxylum piperitum ‘Purple Leaf’

Description

Zanthoxylum piperitum commonly known as Japanese Pepper Tree is a really attractive shrubby small architectural tree with beautiful fern like shiny, in this case purple leaves. Zanthoxylum piperitum is found in several forms, the purple leafed form we have here is a male variety with the female producing deep green glossy leaves. We really like this charming hardy small tree as a delicate pretty plant that casts little shade with its bonsai like structure. This is exciting enough but the Japanese Pepper tree is also useful in the kitchen too, its aromatic leaves are used in Japan to make a pesto like paste and to add spicy taste and colour to salads.

Zanthoxylum piperitum has been shown that the leaves contain an antiviral property which in turn may help cure the common cold!

Hardy and best planted in a sunny position.