Emory's Crucifixion-Thorn
Castela emoryi
Family: Simaroubaceae
OTHER NAMES
Spanish: chaparro
CHARACTERISTICS
Small, almost leafless tree, 10-15’h&w. Nectar rich, reddish brown, 5-petaled flowers appear in June and July which are followed by clusters of reddish-brown seeds which hang down in groups of 5. Seeds may persist for several years.
One of the three similar-looking species in our region called “crucifixion thorn” (including Canotia holacantha and Koeberlinia spinosa) and all three species are found in Ironwood Forest National Monument.
LANDSCAPE USE
Specimen tree or screening shrub.
GROWING CONDITIONS
AN EXPLANAITION OF TERMS USED
SUN full or even reflected heat
WATER moderate to low
SOIL good drainage
HARDINESS hardy to 25°F
BASIN high
CONTAINER not recommended
NUTRITION low
MAINTENANCE very little, remove branches from high traffic areas
ECOLOGY
Crucifixion Thorn flowers are pollinated by insects, particularly bumble bees. Larval host for the Ailanthus webworm moth (Atteva aurea).
ETHNOBOTANY
The Yavapai people traditionally use this as a medicinal plant, making a dermatological aid from the milky fluid of pulverized buds— rubbed on face to stop pimples.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Sonoran Desert plains and dry washes, never abundant, 500-2300 ft. in California, Arizona, and Sonora.
TAXONOMY AND NAME
This species is in the Simaroubaceae, the quassia family. There are 17 species in the genus Castela native to the Americas, especially the tropical regions.
Formerly known as Holacantha emoryi.
The genus Castela is named for René R.L. Castel, French botanist, poet, editor, opera librettist, 1759--1832. The epithet, emoryi, is in honor of Brigadier General William Hemsley Emory, who was chief surveyor of the U.S. Boundary Survey team of 1852 and collected specimens for the Smithsonian Institution.
These plants grow in various canopy shapes. Photo by Duncan Bell, iNaturalist
The flowers are small, but attract a lot of critters. Photo by Fred Melgert / Carla Hoegen, iNaturalist
The fruits are dry capsules that occur in clusters, and can be various colors. Photo by Camden Bruner, iNaturalist