Christ’s thorn
Christ's thorn is a spiny shrub that can out-compete native vegetation and dominate grazing land. It has not yet been recorded in Queensland.
Christ's thorn is a prohibited invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
Not yet recorded in Queensland.
Found in areas of low rainfall. Capable of growing in desert or semi-desert where soils are often silty.
Spiny shrub 3-10m tall.
Forms dense thickets, displacing native vegetation. Dominates grazing land in arid/semi-arid areas.
Leaves are alternate, oval, more pointed at tips. Short spines are positioned in pairs along branches. Bark is whitish-brown or pale grey, cracked with a twisted trunk.
Flowers are small, greenish-yellow. Fruits are 1cm in diameter, red-brown, with stone in centre.
Propagates from seeds held in woody capsules.
