What is the difference between Qingxiangmu (Pistacia weinmannifolia) and pepperwood (Zanthoxylum beecheyanum)? A quick guide to tell them apart

Summer is here, and many people want to find some mosquito-repellent plants to keep at home as a "plant mosquito coil," so plenty of plants called "Qingxiangmu" have appeared on the flower market. Although there really are ways to use Qingxiangmu to repel mosquitoes, many people are grasping at straws: as soon as they see the words "Qingxiangmu," they assume it repels mosquitoes. In fact, this is wrong! Why? Because most of the "Qingxiangmu" on the flower market is actually pepperwood. Whether pepperwood has any mosquito-repelling effect is unknown. Gathered from the internet, here is some relevant information on the differences, which we hope will be useful to you.

The main differences between pepperwood and Qingxiangmu

1. Family and genus: pepperwood belongs to the Rutaceae family and the Zanthoxylum genus, and is an evergreen shrub. Qingxiangmu belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and the Pistacia genus, and is an evergreen shrub or small tree.

2. Leaves: pepperwood has odd-pinnate compound leaves. Qingxiangmu has even-pinnate compound leaves.

3. Fruit: pepperwood fruit is greenish-brown. Qingxiangmu fruit is red.

Simple ways to identify pepperwood and Qingxiangmu

1. Qingxiangmu's leaves are much larger than pepperwood's, and they are even-pinnate compound leaves.

2. Pepperwood has odd-pinnate compound leaves, with 2 thorns at the leaf base. Qingxiangmu has even-pinnate compound leaves, the leaflet tips are indented, and the small branches are red. Just look at whether the very tip of the leaf stalk is a single leaf or a pair of leaves, and that is enough.

How to tell pepperwood and Qingxiangmu apart by scent

If you have a keen sense of smell, you can also smell the scent they give off to tell them apart easily. Pepperwood normally has no noticeable smell, but if you crush the leaves you will smell a very strong pepper odor.

Qingxiangmu image

Pepperwood image

If you are not using it to repel mosquitoes, pepperwood is actually quite attractive; its greenery suits summer well and gives a refreshing feeling. If you really want to use something to repel mosquitoes, it is recommended to use mosquito-repellent grass (Pelargonium citrosum); the effect is very obvious.