Allthorn
Koeberlinia spinosa
As the name implies few other structures besides thorns are apparent.
RANGE: Uncommon to rare but turns up at a wide variety of locations
throughout southern Arizona, California and Mexico mostly below 1000 m
elevation. One reliable place to find it is in Palm Canyon in the
Kofa Mountains, Arizona. It is also found in portions of the Chihuahuan Desert.
ARMED: To the hilt. These are among the sharpest of all Sonoran Desert
spines!
SHRUB: Rarely more than a meter tall. The branches are photosynthetic
green and usually rather spindly.
LEAVES: Generally leafless, however a few minute spatulate leaves may be
present during rapid growth periods but are soon deciduous.
FLOWERS: Small, whitish flowers are on short spikes.