Crucifixion Thorn. Canotia holacantha, Bittersweet Family ( Celastraceae ), Crucifixion Thorn. Also called Holacantha, Chaparro Amargosa, Castela emori (gray), castela, corona-de-Cristo, and rosario. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. 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. Quick Notes: 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. Flowering Time: June - July. Fruit: Clusters of red - brown seeds about 1/2 inch long hang down in groups of 5. Seeds may persist for several years. Leaves: When present are scalelike. Found: Native to the USA (AZ). Also native to northern Mexico in northern Sonora. Hardiness: USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Elevation: 500 - 4,500 Feet. Habitat: Dry, rocky desert washes, slopes and plains. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken April 25, 2005. Near Hillside, Arizona.

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