Biology:Paliurus spina-christi
| Paliurus spina-christi | |
|---|---|
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| Jerusalem thorn (Paliurus spina-christi) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Paliurus |
| Species: | P. spina-christi
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| Binomial name | |
| Paliurus spina-christi Mill.
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| Synonyms | |
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Paliurus spina-christi, commonly known as Jerusalem thorn, garland thorn, Christ's thorn, or crown of thorns, is a species of Paliurus native to the Mediterranean region, Southwest Asia and Central Asia, from Morocco and Spain east to Iran and Tajikistan.[1][2]
Description
It is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 3–4 m tall. The shoots are zig-zagged, with a leaf and two stipular spines (one straight, one curved) on the outside of each kink. The leaves are oval, 2–5 cm long and 1–4 cm broad, glossy green, with an entire margin. The fruit is a dry woody nutlet centred in a circular wing 2–3.5 cm diameter.
Etymology
As suggested by the Latin name, the spiny branches of this shrub were thought to be used to make the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before his crucifixion. Ziziphus spina-christi, the Christ's thorn jujube, is also identified as being used for the crown of thorns.
Use
It is viewed as an ornamental curiosity and is cultivated in some areas outside its native range, including Fiji.
Gallery
Frutis and seeds
Paliurus spina-christi, Christ's thorn shrub bearing fruits which are woody nutlets centred in a circular wing among the ruins of Side, Turkey.
References
- ↑ Casavecchia, Simona; Biscotti, Nello; Pesaresi, Simone; Biondi, Edoardo (2015-07-01). "The Paliurus spina-christi dominated vegetation in Europe" (in en). Biologia 70 (7): 879–892. doi:10.1515/biolog-2015-0100. ISSN 1336-9563. Bibcode: 2015Biolg..70..879C. https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2015-0100.
- ↑ O'Kennon, Robert J. (1991). "Paliurus Spina-Christi (rhamnaceae) New for North America in Texas". SIDA, Contributions to Botany 14 (4): 606–609. ISSN 0036-1488. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41961083.
External links
- Flora Europaea: Paliurus spina-christi
- {{citation
| mode = cs1 | title = Paliurus spina-christi | work = Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) | url = | publisher = [[Organization:Agricultural Research ServAgricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | access-date = }}
- Rushforth, K. D. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. ISBN:0-00-220013-9.
- Flora Vitiensis Nova. Volume 3. Albert C. Smith. VI. 694 pp. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden. Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii. 1985
Wikidata ☰ Q660414 entry
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