Zanthoxylum clava-herculis subsp. fruticosum, commonly known as Texas Hercules’ Club, Hercules’ Club, Southern Prickly-Ash, or Hercules-club Prickly-Ash, is an evergreen shrub native to the Southeastern United States. It is typically found in a variety of habitats including pine flatwoods, coastal uplands, and dry, sandy woods. This species grows at a moderate rate to a height of 10-30 feet (3-9 meters) and a width of 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters). It features a distinctive, spiny trunk and branches, with compound leaves that have a glossy appearance. The greenish-white flowers are small and grouped in clusters, blooming in the spring. They are followed by red berries that mature to black, providing food for wildlife.

Texas Hercules’ Club is valued for its unique, textured bark and its ability to serve as a host plant for the Giant Swallowtail butterfly. It is used in landscaping for naturalistic plantings and as a specimen plant due to its unusual appearance. This shrub is drought-tolerant once established and can adapt to a range of soil types, including clay, loam, or sandy soils, as long as they are well-drained. It prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to scale insects and sooty mold. Gardeners should also be cautious of its sharp thorns when planting in areas with pedestrian traffic.CC BY-SA 4.0