SafePlants

Crucifixion Thorn

The name "Crucifixion Thorn" is applied to several different desert plants found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. This can lead to confusion, as these plants are not necessarily closely related.

Considerations for Pets

• Multiple species referred to as "Crucifixion Thorn" possess spines or sharp thorns, which could pose a physical hazard to pets.
• Some descriptions mention rigid, sharp branches.

Considerations for Children

• Multiple species referred to as "Crucifixion Thorn" possess spines or sharp thorns, which could pose a physical hazard to children.
• Some descriptions mention rigid, sharp branches.

Canotia holacantha

• Scientific Name: Canotia holacantha
• Common Names: Crucifixion thorn, canotia
• Family: Celastraceae (Bittersweet Family)
• Canotia holacantha is the only species within its genus.
• Distribution and Habitat: Native to the Sonoran Desert and southern Mojave Desert of North America. Its distribution in the United States is limited to the central southern part.
• Morphological Characteristics: An intricately branched, spiny shrub or small tree that can grow up to 10 feet tall. It is typically leafless, with thick, rigid, sharp, bluish gray-green branches that perform photosynthesis.

Castela emoryi

• Scientific Name: Castela emoryi
• Common Names: Crucifixion thorn, Chaparro Armagosa, Emory's crucifixion-thorn, Corona de Jesus, Corona de Cristo
• Family: Simaroubaceae
• Synonyms: Castela emoryi (A. Gray) Moran & Felger
• Distribution and Habitat: Native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. It can be found in Southern and Central California, primarily in the Desert Mountains and the Mojave Desert.
• Morphological Characteristics: A shrub or small tree, often leafless. The leaves, when present, are alternate and narrowly ovate (scale-like), measuring 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. It is dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female.

Other Species

• Koeberlinia spinosa (also called Crucifixion Thorn). Root systems have been excavated on alluvial-fan toeslopes in a desert area of southern New Mexico.
• Dalea (mentioned as another similar shrub called Crucifixion Thorn or corona de Jesus)
• Colletia paradoxa, also known as Colletia cruciata, has also been referred to as Crucifixion Thorn.
• Stewart crucifixion thorn is a low, sprawling shrub with many gray-green, leafless branches and branchlets ending in rigid spines. It grows only in Brewster County.

Further Information

• BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
• Biological Survey of Ironwood Forest National Monument
• Dave's Garden
• Encyclopedia of Life
• Wikimedia Commons
• Discover Life