Colletia

Colletia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, with five species of spiny shrubs. All species of this genus are native to southern South America. They are non-legume nitrogen fixers.

Taxonomy

Species

Colletia comprises the following species:

• Colletia hystrix <small>Clos</small> - pink crucifixion thorn

• Colletia paradoxa <small>(Spreng.) Escal.</small> - crucifixion thorn, thorn of the cross, anchor plant

• Colletia spartioides <small>Bertero ex Colla</small>

• Colletia spinosissima <small>J.F.Gmel.</small>

• Colletia ulicina <small>Gillies & Hook.</small>

Species names with uncertain taxonomic status

The status of the following species and hybrids is unresolved:

• Colletia crenata <small>Regel</small> (unplaced)
• Colletia cruzerillo <small>Bertero</small> (unplaced)
• Colletia disperma <small>Moc. & Sessé ex DC.</small> (unplaced)
• Colletia horrida <small>Brongn. ex Drap.</small> (unplaced)
• Colletia velutina <small>Spreng.</small> (unplaced)

Formerly placed here

• Celtis iguanaea (as Colletia iguanaea <small>Scop.</small>)
• Discaria americana (as Colletia longispina and C. longissima <small>Steud.</small>)
• Retanilla stricta (as Colletia tetrandra <small>Clos</small>)
• Retanilla trinervia (as Colletia treba <small>Bertero ex Colla</small>)
• Rhamnus diffusa (as Colletia maytenoides <small>Griseb.</small>)
• Scutia spicata (as Colletia spicata <small>Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.</small>)
• Trevoa campanulata (as Colletia campanulata <small>Phil.</small>)
• Trevoa quinquenervia (as Colletia tralhuen <small>Bertero ex Colla</small>)

References

External links

• Strange Wonderful Things: Colletia paradoxa