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Spike thorn (Gymnosporia)
Spike thorn is an Old World genus of plants, that comprise suffrutices, shrubs and trees. It was formerly considered congeneric with Maytenus, but more recent investigations separated it based on the presence of achyblasts (truncated branchlets) and spines, alternate leaves or fascicles of leaves, an inflorescence that forms a dichasium, mostly unisexual flowers, and fruit forming a dehiscent capsule, with an aril on the seed. The genus occurs in Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia. The genus includes some 114 species. 
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About Spike thorn
Feedback
Attributes of Spike thorn
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Spike thorn
Phylum
Vascular plants
Class
Dicotyledons
Order
Spindle tree order
Family
Bittersweet
Genus
Spike thorn
Distribution of Spike thorn
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Distribution Map of Spike thorn
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Spike thorn
Feedback
Spike thorn thrive in conditions with ample light and well-draining soil. They prefer moderate watering, allowing the soil to dry slightly between sessions. Temperature tolerance is broad, yet protection from extreme cold is crucial. Common challenges include pest infestations like scale insects and environmental sensitivities such as over-watering leading to root rot. Seasonal considerations involve reducing water during winter dormancy and providing extra moisture in hot summers, with spring being ideal for pruning and rejuvenation.
Exploring the Spike thorn Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Gymnosporia diversifolia
A shrub or small tree of lower elevations (below 100 m), gymnosporia diversifolia naturally occurs in sparse forests, mountain slopes, seashores, and roadsides. It got the Latin name Gymnosporia diversifolia from its variable foliage, the specific name can be translated as "variable foliage; with different leaves".
Spike Thorn
Spike Thorn is a small, woody perennial shrub that grows terrestrially in tropical forests and thickets. It is a thorny plant, with broad leaves, clusters of small white flowers, and red berries.
Gymnosporia nemorosa
Gymnosporia nemorosa is a resilient shrub known for its hardened wood and spiny stems. This plant thrives under full sunlight in dry, well-drained soils, often attracting wildlife with its small, white flowers. Adapted to survive in tough environments, it boasts glossy, oval leaves that help conserve water, making it a symbol of persistence in challenging terrains.
Spikethorn
Spikethorn is a resilient shrub that flourishes in a variety of environments, often forming dense thickets. Characterized by its small, leathery leaves and thorny branches, it adorns itself with clusters of white flowers which give way to red berries. This hardy species adeptly adapts to arid conditions, its robust nature enabling survival in challenging landscapes.
Gymnosporia laurina
Gymnosporia laurina is distinguished by its glossy, leathery leaves and a dense, shrubby form that thrives in rocky landscapes. Its small, white flowers bloom profusely, giving way to red berries that provide sustenance for local wildlife. Adaptive to harsh conditions, gymnosporia laurina often reflects the resilience required to survive in its arid or semi-arid environments.
Gymnosporia woodii
Gymnosporia woodii is a resilient shrub known for its thorny branches, which form a dense, intertwining pattern. Its small, leathery leaves and white to pale pink flowers, which bloom profusely, adapt well to a variety of environments. Bright red berries follow the flowering, providing food for wildlife and a stark contrast against its green foliage.
Gymnosporia linearis
Gymnosporia linearis is a resilient shrub distinguished by its slender, straight branches and small, tough leaves that adapt well to arid conditions. It often features tiny, inconspicuous flowers, followed by spherical, berry-like fruits, regarded as survival mechanisms in its challenging habitats. The linear leaf shape is a hallmark, contributing to its species name and ease of identification.
Gymnosporia procumbens
Gymnosporia procumbens is a hardy, low-growing shrub, often found embracing rocky terrains with its dense, spiny branches. The small, glossy leaves and delicate white flowers juxtapose its tough exterior, which serves as a protective adaptation against herbivores. Berries produced by the plant hint at a red or purple when ripe, attracting various bird species that aid in seed dispersal.
All Species of Spike thorn
Gymnosporia diversifolia
Gymnosporia diversifolia
A shrub or small tree of lower elevations (below 100 m), gymnosporia diversifolia naturally occurs in sparse forests, mountain slopes, seashores, and roadsides. It got the Latin name Gymnosporia diversifolia from its variable foliage, the specific name can be translated as "variable foliage; with different leaves".
Spike Thorn
Spike Thorn
Spike Thorn is a small, woody perennial shrub that grows terrestrially in tropical forests and thickets. It is a thorny plant, with broad leaves, clusters of small white flowers, and red berries.
Gymnosporia nemorosa
Gymnosporia nemorosa
Gymnosporia nemorosa is a resilient shrub known for its hardened wood and spiny stems. This plant thrives under full sunlight in dry, well-drained soils, often attracting wildlife with its small, white flowers. Adapted to survive in tough environments, it boasts glossy, oval leaves that help conserve water, making it a symbol of persistence in challenging terrains.
Spikethorn
Spikethorn
Spikethorn is a resilient shrub that flourishes in a variety of environments, often forming dense thickets. Characterized by its small, leathery leaves and thorny branches, it adorns itself with clusters of white flowers which give way to red berries. This hardy species adeptly adapts to arid conditions, its robust nature enabling survival in challenging landscapes.
Gymnosporia laurina
Gymnosporia laurina
Gymnosporia laurina is distinguished by its glossy, leathery leaves and a dense, shrubby form that thrives in rocky landscapes. Its small, white flowers bloom profusely, giving way to red berries that provide sustenance for local wildlife. Adaptive to harsh conditions, gymnosporia laurina often reflects the resilience required to survive in its arid or semi-arid environments.
Gymnosporia woodii
Gymnosporia woodii
Gymnosporia woodii is a resilient shrub known for its thorny branches, which form a dense, intertwining pattern. Its small, leathery leaves and white to pale pink flowers, which bloom profusely, adapt well to a variety of environments. Bright red berries follow the flowering, providing food for wildlife and a stark contrast against its green foliage.
Gymnosporia linearis
Gymnosporia linearis
Gymnosporia linearis is a resilient shrub distinguished by its slender, straight branches and small, tough leaves that adapt well to arid conditions. It often features tiny, inconspicuous flowers, followed by spherical, berry-like fruits, regarded as survival mechanisms in its challenging habitats. The linear leaf shape is a hallmark, contributing to its species name and ease of identification.
Gymnosporia procumbens
Gymnosporia procumbens
Gymnosporia procumbens is a hardy, low-growing shrub, often found embracing rocky terrains with its dense, spiny branches. The small, glossy leaves and delicate white flowers juxtapose its tough exterior, which serves as a protective adaptation against herbivores. Berries produced by the plant hint at a red or purple when ripe, attracting various bird species that aid in seed dispersal.
Red spikethorn
Red spikethorn
The milky white flowers of the red spikethorn (Gymnosporia senegalensis) grow at intervals along its red branches. Despite its unpleasant spines, it is an important food source for African animals, with monkeys, rhinos, birds and even larval butterflies depending on its fruit, bark and leaves.
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Spike thorn
Gymnosporia
Spike thorn is an Old World genus of plants, that comprise suffrutices, shrubs and trees. It was formerly considered congeneric with Maytenus, but more recent investigations separated it based on the presence of achyblasts (truncated branchlets) and spines, alternate leaves or fascicles of leaves, an inflorescence that forms a dichasium, mostly unisexual flowers, and fruit forming a dehiscent capsule, with an aril on the seed. The genus occurs in Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia. The genus includes some 114 species.
Lifespan
Perennial
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Key Facts About Spike thorn
Feedback
Attributes of Spike thorn
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Spike thorn
Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Dicotyledons Order
Spindle tree order Family
Bittersweet Genus
Spike thorn Distribution of Spike thorn
Feedback
Distribution Map of Spike thorn
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Spike thorn
Feedback
Spike thorn thrive in conditions with ample light and well-draining soil. They prefer moderate watering, allowing the soil to dry slightly between sessions. Temperature tolerance is broad, yet protection from extreme cold is crucial. Common challenges include pest infestations like scale insects and environmental sensitivities such as over-watering leading to root rot. Seasonal considerations involve reducing water during winter dormancy and providing extra moisture in hot summers, with spring being ideal for pruning and rejuvenation.
Exploring the Spike thorn Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Gymnosporia diversifolia
A shrub or small tree of lower elevations (below 100 m), gymnosporia diversifolia naturally occurs in sparse forests, mountain slopes, seashores, and roadsides. It got the Latin name Gymnosporia diversifolia from its variable foliage, the specific name can be translated as "variable foliage; with different leaves".
Spike Thorn
Spike Thorn is a small, woody perennial shrub that grows terrestrially in tropical forests and thickets. It is a thorny plant, with broad leaves, clusters of small white flowers, and red berries.
Gymnosporia nemorosa
Gymnosporia nemorosa is a resilient shrub known for its hardened wood and spiny stems. This plant thrives under full sunlight in dry, well-drained soils, often attracting wildlife with its small, white flowers. Adapted to survive in tough environments, it boasts glossy, oval leaves that help conserve water, making it a symbol of persistence in challenging terrains.
Spikethorn
Spikethorn is a resilient shrub that flourishes in a variety of environments, often forming dense thickets. Characterized by its small, leathery leaves and thorny branches, it adorns itself with clusters of white flowers which give way to red berries. This hardy species adeptly adapts to arid conditions, its robust nature enabling survival in challenging landscapes.
Show More Species
All Species of Spike thorn
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
