Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures And Photos

Crucifixion Thorn, Canotia holacantha

Crucifixion Thorn, Canotia holacantha; Photo Taken April 25, 2005 Near Hillside.

15 Foot Crucifixion Thorn On A hillside.	Woodpecker Hole In Branch Off Of Thick Trunk
Crucifixion Thorn	Canotia holacantha
Crucifixion Thorn Flowers	Canotia holacantha Seed Pods
Crucifixion Thorn Seed Pods	Canotia holacantha Seed Pods

Crucifixion Thorn Canotia holacantha, Bittersweet Family ( Celastraceae ), Crucifixion Thorn. Also called Holacantha, Chaparro Amargosa, Castela emori (gray), castela, corona-de-Cristo, and rosario. A large diecious shrub or small tree, up to 10 - 15 feet tall with gray - green, rigid branches that are tipped with sharp thorns; leaves reduced to deciduous scales. Named for its gray - green, smooth rigid twigs, up to 8" long and about 1/4" in diameter that are tipped by sharp spines. The leaves are insignificant and short-lived. The stems and bark do most of the photosynthetic work for the plant. Has male and female flowers on separate plants; female flowers followed by a ring composed of 5-10 flattened 1-seeded segments which can survive for years. The female shrubs bear persistant clusters of woody red - brown capsules with 5 valves, each about 1/2 inch long. Height: 8 to 10 feet tall average, some up to about 12 - 15 feet. Trunk: Up To About 2 1/2 Foot Thick. A single trunk sometimes with a few branches. Each branch can be 8" - 10" in diameter. Stems: The young branches are covered with short, fine hairs; the older branches are streaked with gray-brown bark. Flowers: Red - brown, 5-petaled flowers less than 1/2 inch wide, in axillary clusters bloom in June and July. Has male and female flowers on separate plants. Seeds: Clusters of red - brown seeds about 1/2 inch long hang down in groups of 5. Seeds may persist for several years. Blooming Time: June - July. Leaves: When present are scalelike. Elevation: 500 - 4500 Feet. Habitat: Dry, rocky desert washes, slopes and plains . Miscellaneous: Photos Taken April 25, 2005. Near Hillside.