Crucifixion Thorn

Description

Canotia holacantha, also known as crucifixion thorn or simply canotia, is a flowering shrub small tree in the family Celastraceae. It is the only species in the genus Canotia.Canotia holacantha reaches a height of 10�15 feet 3.0�4.6 m. However, one specimen located in the eastern Mojave Desert near Wikieup, Arizona is known to exceed 30 feet 9.1 m in height. It is usually a scrubby species, with gray-green branches tipped with sharp thorns.This species handles photosynthesis with its twigs, rather than the short-lived leaves, like the unrelated Foothill palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) which it closely resembles. Its leaves are insignificant scales which are quickly shed and rarely seen; more easily seen are its seed pods, which are persistent clusters of reddish-brown seed capsules which hang in groups of five.