Page 75 - Walks In The Black Range, Vol. 4

Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and far western Texas. In Mexico it is found in Chihuahua and Sonora.
I. In the range of the unexpected were several Koeberlinia spinosa var. spinosa, Crown of Thorns, in flower (photo following page, August 18). In April, I took the photograph below on Apache Peak (Hill) just north of Lake Valley. This is
how I have grown accustomed to seeing this plant: A skeleton of stout sharp spines that you really do not wish to venture too close to, and we have that opportunity - as shown in the U.S. Geological Survey map of the range of this species (left). The range is limited, and we are at the very northern boundary.
This is a rather remarkable plant. The leaves have diminished to scales, for instance. It is a tree, and most of the photosynthesis happens in the branches, thus their bright green color. Most sources consider it to be one of two species in the family Koeberliniaceae. The other, K. holacantha is found in Bolivia.