Koeberlinia spinosa is one of 3 native plant species in Arizona that have the common name of crucifixion thorn or crown of thorns or of course, corona de cristo. (I betcha that Spanish common name came first.) The other 2 species that share the name are Castela emoryi and Canotia holacantha. You could darn near see all 3 in a day if you were willing to do some serious driving…well, don’t do that, take your time and drive to Ajo to see Castela. Then maybe a drive to Safford and Globe and westward to see Canotia. They look like foothills paloverdes out in that desert region and it is abundant. Koeberlinia spinosa is found in the deserts of southeastern Arizona, but is more widespread as you head east to New Mexico, Texas and of course southward into Mexico.
The photos are mine. I forgot my camera, so these were taken with my phone on the day described. And yeah, I think I will go back and gather seed later this summer. Stay tuned.
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