Crucifixion thorn
Koeberlinia spinosa
Family: Koeberliniaceae
OTHER NAMES
crown of thorns, Crown-of-Thorns, allthorn, spiny allthorn
CHARACTERISTICS
Green spiny tree (or more often as a large shrub) usually 6-15’ but sometimes to 30’. This species can bloom almost any time during the warm season and the white, five-petaled flowers are followed by shiny black berries. While considered “deciduous” the small leaves aren’t missed as most of the stems on the plant are green and photosynthesize. One of the three similar-looking species in our region called “crucifixion thorn” (including Castela emoryi and Canotia holacantha) and all three species are found in Ironwood Forest National Monument.
LANDSCAPE USE
Great as a protective screen (thorny) and accent plant.
GROWING CONDITIONS
Provide full sun, low water when fully established, though if the drainage is good, they will grow faster with more water. Hardy to 0°F.
GROWING CONDITIONS
AN EXPLANAITION OF TERMS USED
SUN full sun
WATER moderate to low water
SOIL not picky, but well-drained
HARDINESS hardy to 0°F
BASIN high to middle zone
CONTAINER not recommended
NUTRITION low
MAINTENANCE very little
Photo by josueuayala, iNaturalist
Koeberlinia spinosa on SEINET
ECOLOGY
Shiny black berries which are attractive to birds and other animals. This spinescent shrub provides protective habitat for small birds and animals.
ETHNOBOTANY
This plant has sturdy wood used in construction or the making of furniture. When burned, it produces an oily black smoke, which the Seri people of Sonora used as a method of sanitizing homes to protect against dangerous foreign diseases such as measles. They also made tea from the flowers to treat dizziness and intestinal disorders.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Found on old alluvium, gravelly, or sandy substrates on slopes or Larrea flats from 2,000-5,000 ft. in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, south into central Mexico.
TAXONOMY AND NAME
Koeberlinia is named after Christoph Ludwig Koeberlin (1794-1862), a German clergyman and botanist, while spinosa is from Latin for thorny. There are two species of Koeberlinia. The other species, confusingly called Koeberlinia holacantha, is native to Bolivia, not related to Canotia holacantha, one of the many plants called “crucifixion thorn”.
Koeberlinia spinosa is a spinescent plant, meaning that its branches end with a spike. Photo by Frankie Coburn, SEINET
Flower image by Liz Makings, SEINET
The fruits are globose, red to black berries, photo by Asombro Institute for Science Education, iNaturalist