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The "Inu-sansho" (Zanthoxylum schinifolium) belongs to Rutaceae (the Citrus family). It is a small deciduous tree that is native to Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu of Japan, as well as Taiwan, the Korean Peninsula and China. This tree grows on the logging areas of mountains, and can reach 2-3 m in height. It resembles to Japanese pepper tree, though not having delicious fragrance. It is also defined by alternate spines and large number of leaflets. It is dioecious. The pale green, five-petaled flowers bloom in July and August. The peels are called "Gaishou", and used as a herbal medicine for antiussive. In Taiwanese Chinese, it is called "—ƒ•¿‰Ôž£", and "‰Ԟ£" (qing hua jiao) in Chinese.
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