Mojave thorn

plant

Also known as: Canotia holacantha

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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The Mojave thorn, also known as Canotia holacantha, is a spiny shrub or small tree found in the deserts of southwestern North America. It is characterized by its green thorns, which grow at right angles to the branches, and its rushlike green branches. The plant has small, scalelike leaves and produces greenish flowers followed by black berries. Canotia holacantha contains highly flammable resins in its stems. It is one of two species sometimes referred to as crucifixion thorn, with the other being Koeberlinia spinosa. Another plant, Lycium pallidum, is also called rabbit thorn. These plants are part of the thorn forest vegetation, which thrives in dry regions with seasonal rainfall.123

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crucifixion thorn
Canotia holacantha, of the family Celastraceae, has ascending green thorns and rushlike green branches; it bears five-petaled flowers and oval, brown, one- or two-seeded capsules. Also called Mojave thorn, Canotia contains highly flammable resins in its stems. Both species bear scalelike leaves.
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Canotia holacantha, of the family Celastraceae, has ascending green thorns and rushlike green branches; it bears five-petaled flowers and oval, brown, one- or two-seeded capsules. Also called Mojave thorn, Canotia contains highly flammable resins in its stems. Both species bear scalelike leaves.
Read More