Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Echte christusdoorn, Christ's thorn, garland thorn, épine du Christ, spina di Cristo, spino-gatto

Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)

Distribution: S Europe to C Asia

Hardiness: Zone 08

Life form: Shrub

Comments: Christ’s thorn is a deciduous shrub or small tree that grows up to four meters tall. The leaves are glossy green. There are two types of spines: straight and curved. From June to August, it blooms with clusters of small, yellow-green flowers. These produce striking disc-shaped seeds, encircled by a pericarp, like double caps. The species grows wild in calcareous soil from the Mediterranean region towards Southwest Asia, as far as Iran and Tajikistan. It tolerates full sun or light shade, and frost down to around minus 15 degrees Celsius. Spina means spine or thorn, christi means Christ. The thorny branches are said to have been made to create a crown of thorns for Christ's head. This is also said of other thorny plants. Because of its drought tolerance, the plant is suitable for rock gardens or Mediterranean gardens, possibly as a natural hedge. It requires a well-drained location and allows pruning.