Jerusalem Thorn

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Jerusalem Thorn
• Jeruzalem Thorn
• Wonder Tree
• Mexican Palo Verde
• Palo Verde
• Parkinsonia
• Barbados flowerfence
• Jerusalem-thorn
• horse-bean
• retaima

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Parkinsonia spinosa
• Parkinsonia inermis
• Parkinsonia thornberi

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Parkinsonia and the species name Parkinsonia aculeata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the Mediterranean region. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing in Portugal as well as Spain. Its presence is also noted in the island of Sardegna within the same southwestern territory. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, the species is located in Greece. Finally, its range extends to the island of Sicilia in the southeastern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Parkinsonia aculeata is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL. This species exhibits significant ecological plasticity, inhabiting a diverse array of environments including Anthropic Areas, Caatinga (strict sensu), Campo Limpo, and Cerrado (latu sensu). Furthermore, it is frequently found within Forest Gallery or Riparian Forest ecosystems, as well as Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests. To survive within these varied habitats, the plant utilizes specific biological mechanisms, as it possesses active defense traits.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Genetics

The genetics of Parkinsonia aculeata are characterized by a specific chromosomal constitution that defines its biological framework. The species possesses a total chromosome number of 28, a numerical value that serves as a fundamental cytogenetic marker for the plant. Furthermore, its genetic structure is defined by a diploid ploidy level of 2, indicating that the organism maintains two complete sets of chromosomes within its somatic cells.

Chromosome number :

28

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Parkinsonia aculeata is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches, a structural adaptation that supports its long-term survival and growth patterns. Furthermore, the species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding process, which contributes to its continuous physiological activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Parkinsonia aculeata is characterized by its woody growth form, which primarily manifests as a tree or a shrub. As a terrestrial plant, it functions as an independent organism and does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behaviors. The plant is self-supporting in its structure rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variation in height, ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 10 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 9.845 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

9.845 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Parkinsonia aculeata is characterized by a specialized metabolic and morphological profile optimized for its ecological niche. It utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency. The foliage exhibits a highly distinct linear leaf form, characterized by extreme dimensions where individual leaves range in length from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 40 cm, and maintain a narrow width between 0.1 cm and 0.4 cm. Furthermore, the plant possesses the physiological capacity for nitrogen fixation, allowing it to enhance nutrient availability within its immediate environment through symbiotic processes.

Leaf form :

linear

Leaf length max:

40 cm

Leaf length min:

0.2 cm

Leaf width max:

0.4 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Parkinsonia aculecta is characterized by a flowering cycle that typically begins in July and concludes in April. The plant produces yellow flowers arranged in a raceme inflorescence, with individual flowers measuring between 1 cm and 1.1 cm in length and up to 2.5 cm in width. The pollination process is biotic, specifically utilizing an insect syndrome with bees serving as key pollinators. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops dry, dehiscence-type pods as its fruit type. These pods vary in size, ranging from 5 cm to 20 cm in length and 0.6 cm to 1 cm in width. Each fruit contains a relatively small number of seeds, typically between 1 and 10. The seeds themselves are characterized by a length of 8 mm to 10 mm and a width of 4 mm to 6 mm, with a mean volume of 110 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds weigh on average approximately 0.099 g, with a range spanning from 0.073772 g to 0.21 g. Once mature, the plant employs an autochorous dispersal syndrome to distribute its seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

1.1 cm

Flower length min:

1 cm

Flower width max:

2.5 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

20 cm

Fruit length min:

5 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Inflorescence :

raceme

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

10 mm

Seed length min:

8 mm

Seed mass max:

0.21 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0991262355 g

Seed mass min:

0.073772 g

Seed volume max:

110 mm³

Seed width max:

6 mm

Seed width min:

4 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

1-10

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Parkinsonia aculeata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial

1. Natural product communications

Conditions

Parkinsonia aculeata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include C. parapsilosis.

C. parapsilosis

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Parkinsonia aculeata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extracts.

Methanol extracts

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences