Christ's Thorn, Jeruselem thorn
Paliurus spina-christi

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

Paliurus spina-christi is a deciduous Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from October to December. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Hedges, roadsides and thickets, in maquis and garigue on dry sandy hills to 3000 metres.

S. Europe to W. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit - raw or dried for later use. A pleasant sub-acid taste, somewhat resembling dried apples. The woody fruit is up to 30mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 1

Anticathartic, astringent, diuretic and tonic.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating:

The plants are used for hedging, they have a loose but bushy habit.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Hedge: Hedge

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Succeeds in an ordinary well-drained garden soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Prefers a limy soil. Grows well in dry soils and, once established, is drought tolerant. Prefers a light sandy soil in a warm sunny position. Hardy to about -15°c. Plants are of slow to moderate growth. The branches are pliable and excessively spiny. Plants can regrow from the base if they are cut back by severe weather. The flowers are slightly perfumed. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame and moved into the greenhouse in February. Fair to good germination. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and overwinter them in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Root cuttings 4cm long, December in a greenhouse. Fair to good percentage. Layering

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. aculeata. P. australis. P. virgatus.