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Paliurus spina-christi - Christ's Thorn, Jerusalem Thorn

Updated: 1 day ago

Explore Paliurus spina-christi (Christ's Thorn) - its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.

Paliurus spina-christi - Christ's Thorn

Paliurus spina-christi | Botanical Characteristics

Common Names: Christ's Thorn, Jerusalem Thorn

Family: Rhamnaceae

Appearance: A deciduous shrub or small tree with spiny branches, producing small, yellow-green flowers and distinctive, disc-shaped fruit.

Type: Perennial

Evergreen / Deciduous: Deciduous

Layer: Shrub/Small Tree

Root System: Features a deep taproot with a network of lateral roots

Height: Up to 5 meters

Width: Approximately 3 meters

Lifespan: Can live for several decades

Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

Fertility: Self-fertile

Flowers: Hermaphroditic

Pollinator: Bees and other insects

Toxicity: Not known hazards

Paliurus spina-christi | Habitat and Cultivation

Range

  • Native Range: Mediterranean region, Southwest Asia, and Southeast Europe

  • Companionship: Often found with other Mediterranean shrubs and small trees

  • Invasive Range: Not widely reported as invasive

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 - 9

  • Minimum Chill Hours Required: None specified

Resistance/Tolerance

  • Poor Soil: High tolerance

  • Drought: High tolerance

  • Shade: Medium tolerance

  • Flood: Low tolerance

  • Wind: High tolerance

  • Maritime: Moderate tolerance

  • Air Pollution: Moderate tolerance

  • Fire: Moderate tolerance

Thriving Conditions

  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

  • Soil Moisture: Prefers dry to moderately moist conditions

  • Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soils

  • Soil PH: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral (6.0 - 7.5)

Propagation

  • Seeds: Require cold stratification

  • Cuttings: Yes

Paliurus spina-christi | Functional Uses and Benefits

Edible: The fruit is edible

Medicinal: Used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties

Cosmetics: Not typically used in cosmetics

Animal Feed: Can be used as fodder for livestock

Fiber: Not used for fiber

Timber: Not typically used for timber

Firewood: Can be used as firewood

Wind Break: Can serve as a windbreak due to its dense and spiny growth

Fence: Can be used as a natural barrier plant

Cover Crop: Not used as a cover crop

Mulch: Not typically used as mulch

Nitrogen Fixer: No

Dynamic Accumulator: No significant data available

Pollinator Attractor: Yes, attracts bees and other insects

Pest Repellent: Not typically known as a pest repellent

Wildlife Supporter: Provides habitat for various small animals and birds

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