prop. n. 1. (Bot.) A densely spiny ornamental tree (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) of the rue family, growing in southeast U. S. and West Indies. [ wns=1 ] It belongs to the same genus as one of the trees (Zanthoxylum Americanum) called prickly ash. Syn. -- Hercules'-clubs, Hercules-club, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis. [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ] 2. A small, prickly, deciduous clump-forming tree or shrub (Aralia spinosa) of eastern U.S.; also called Angelica tree and prickly ash. [ wns=2 ] Syn. -- American angelica tree, devil's walking stick, Aralia spinosa. [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ] 3. A variety of the common gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris). Its fruit sometimes exceeds five feet in length. [ 1913 Webster ] Variants: Hercules'-club, Hercules'-club |