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 Clos - pink crucifixion thorn

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

• Colletia spartioides Bertero ex Colla

  Colletia spinosissima J.F.Gmel.

• Colletia ulicina Gillies & Hook.

Species names with uncertain taxonomic status

The status of the following species and hybrids is unresolved:

• Colletia crenata Regel (unplaced)

• Colletia cruzerillo Bertero (unplaced)

• Colletia disperma Moc. & Sessé ex DC. (unplaced)

• Colletia horrida Brongn. ex Drap. (unplaced)

• Colletia velutina Spreng. (unplaced)

Formerly placed here

• Celtis iguanaea (as Colletia iguanaea Scop.)

• Discaria americana (as Colletia longispina and C. longissima Steud.)

• Retanilla stricta (as Colletia tetrandra Clos)

• Retanilla trinervia (as Colletia treba Bertero ex Colla)

• Rhamnus diffusa (as Colletia maytenoides Griseb.)

• Scutia spicata (as Colletia spicata Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.)

• Trevoa campanulata (as Colletia campanulata Phil.)

• Trevoa quinquenervia (as Colletia tralhuen Bertero ex Colla)

References

External links

• Strange Wonderful Things: Colletia paradoxa