Colletia paradoxa

Colletia Paradoxa  also known as the Anchor Plant , Thorn of the Cross, Crucifixion Thorn and Jet Plane Plant is native to Uruguay, Argentina and southern Brazil. The Anchor Plant is slow growing to 9 feet tall with oppositely arranged flattened 2 inch wide triangular spine tipped gray-green photosynthetic stems (called Cladoes)  that resemble a ships anchor . A small creamy white lightly fragrant flower (almond like scent) develops at the stem joints in late summer or fall.

New growth of the Colletia Paradoxa  has small leaves that are present for a very short time.

Plant in full sun in well drained soil , it is drought tolerant once established and can tolerate temperatures down to at least 20 degrees F , some say it can take as low as 0 degrees F.

It is very attractive and impressive barrier plant , nothing will dare go through it , with that in mind plant it well away from paths or if in a container well out of the way of passing  guests.

Our first sighting of a mature plant  was at the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden located on Catalina Island  off the coast of Southern California while on holiday in 1977.

We are offering a well-established plant  that is 12 to 18 inches tall by about 6  to 10 inches wide.