Hercules-club

[ hur-kyuh-leez-kluhb ]

noun

1. Also called South·ern prick·ly ash [suhth, -ern , prik, -lee , ash]. a prickly tree, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, of the rue family, having a medicinal bark and berries.
2. Also called angelica tree, devil's-walking-stick, prickly ash. a prickly shrub, Aralia spinosa, of the ginseng family, having a medicinal bark and root.

Hercules'-club

noun

1. a prickly North American araliaceous shrub, Aralia spinosa, with medicinal bark and leaves
2. a prickly North American rutaceous tree, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, with medicinal bark and berries

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hercules-club¹

First recorded in 1680–90