n. 1. 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. a prickly shrub, Aralia spinosa, of the ginseng family, having a medicinal bark and root.[1680–90]MedicalSeeNorthern prickly ashThesaurusSeearalia