Native Plants

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Castela emoryi

Castela emoryi (A. Gray) Moran & Felger

Crucifixion Thorn, Crucifixion-thorn, Thorn-of-Christ

Simaroubaceae (Quassia Family)

Synonym(s): Holacantha emoryi

USDA Symbol: CAEM4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub , Tree
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall, often much shorter.
Leaf: Very short lived, rarely seen.
Fruit: Tan, green, red or brown. Sometimes remains on plant for several years, turning black with age.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Green
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Greenish white, sometimes tinged pink.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA
Native Habitat: Dry, gravelly washes, slopes, plains.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 36 - Jepson eFlora (2019) The Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Castela emoryi in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Castela emoryi in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Castela emoryi

Metadata

Record Modified: 2020-09-18
Research By: CBR

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