Christ Thorn
Ziziphus spina-christi
Rhamnaceae, Buckthorn Family
They dressed him up in purple and put a crown plaited from a thornbush on his head. Then they began their mockery.
Mark 15:17 The Message
Find thistles in God's Word for Gardeners Bible featured in the Garden Work devotions on Preparing the Soil, beginning on page a-23
And the thorn-bush said to the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, come, put confidence in my shadow
Judges 9:15 DARBY
Cultural Information
| Type | Ornamental Shrub |
| Height | 5 to 30 feet |
| Soil | fertile, fine grained soil |
| Exposure | full sun to partial shade |
| Leaves | oval, semi-glossy, alternate, 3 distinctive veins from stem to tip; pair of spines form at leaf base |
| Flowers | petite, pale yellow, star shaped, in clusters, flowers spring to fall |
| Fruit | small, oval, golden, edible, stone fruit, ripens in summer |
Planting Tips
- Christ thorn is hardy to zone 9
- best to propagate by seed
- not widely available commerically in the U.S.
- branches are arching and flexible, similar to river birch branches, though leaves are evergreen and glossy like the myrtle
Garden to Table
- a crown of thorn branches makes a powerful centerpiece or table display, especially during the weeks of Lent up to Resurrection Day
- while Christ thorn is a rare plant in the U.S., other garden plants with thorny branches can be used to make a crown of thorns - rosebushes are a simple substitute
More Research
See Blog Posts on Christ ThornIn a poignant detail, the taunting Roman soldiers made a crown of thorns to place on Jesus’ head, mocking his kingship (Mark 15:17). Thus God’s curse from the Garden of Eden came to rest on the head of Jesus Christ
-from the NIV God's Word for Gardeners Bible
And the thorn-bush said to the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, come, put confidence in my shadow
Judges 9:15 DARBY
Photo Credits
©2019 Shelley S. Cramm, Christ thorn, Ziziphus spina-christi, photographed at San Antonio Botanical Garden in the Sacred Garden full view
©2019 Shelley S. Cramm, Christ thorn detail of thorns San Antonio Botanical Garden in the Sacred Garden
©2019 Shelley S. Cramm, Christ thorn with deceivingly lush branches have hidden thorns to pierce those who draw close
