noun
mastic-leaf prickly ash; Japanese pepper
A plant species (Zanthoxylum schinifolium) whose leaves and fruits are used as a spice in Japanese cuisine. Often called イヌザンショウ in everyday contexts.
イヌザンショウの若葉は山菜として食べられる。
Young leaves of the Japanese pepper are eaten as wild vegetables.
このあたりの山にはイヌザンショウが自生している。
Japanese pepper grows wild in the mountains around here.
サンショウ (Zanthoxylum piperitum) is a closely related species also used as a spice, but イヌザンショウ has a milder flavor and is sometimes considered less desirable.
The name literally means 'dog pepper' (犬 + 山椒), possibly implying a less valuable or inferior variety compared to true サンショウ.