Botanical name: Zanthoxylum asiaticum    Family: Rutaceae (Lemon family)
Synonyms: Toddalia nitida, Toddalia aculeata, Toddalia asiatica

Orange Climber is a liana with woody, corky, thorny stems that climb on trees, reaching up to 10 m in length. It has shiny green lemon-scented leaves, creamish white flowers. Sepals are 0.3-0.5 mm. Petals ovate to elliptic, 1-3.5 mm. Stamens in male flowers are 3-4 mm, whereas in female flowers they are ligulate and only 0.2-0.8 mm. Disk is 0.2-0.5 mm. Gynoecium in female flowers ovoid to ellipsoid and 1.5-2.5 mm, in male flowers subcylindric and 1-2 mm. Fruits are orange about half a cm wide that taste like orange peel. The seeds are dispersed by birds and monkeys that eat the fruits. In particular, the Scaly-breasted Munia prefers to nest in these trees.

Medicinal uses: The plant is used medicinally by many African peoples, including the Maasai, who use it for malaria, cough, and influenza. The roots contain coumarins that have antiplasmodial activity. Extracts of the plant have demonstrated antiviral activity against H1N1 influenza in the laboratory.

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The flower labeled Orange Climber is ...