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.
Young leaves of the Japanese pepper are eaten as wild vegetables.
Japanese pepper grows wild in the mountains around here.
Katakana spelling is common for plant names; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare; the plant name is usually written in kana.
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.