plants have thorns

by danielle luise castro
(makati city,philippines)

RELIGIOUS: Passionflower will calm a troubled household when placed inside the home. Spanish missionaries believed the flowers were a symbol of Christ's crucifixion, and the crown of thorns of Christ's passion, giving this plant its name.
Shrub, with wicked bifurcate thorns and showy, fragrant white flowers (June-July), between Keck Science and Organic Chemistry bldgs. Others plantings at Rains and Manzanita Park.
Illustrations (links open new windows): flower ...Blueberries (Vaccinium) 4. Hawthorns (Crataegus) 5. Fruit Trees 6. New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus) 7. Privet (Ligustrum) 8. Lilac (Syringa) 9. Redbud (Cercis) 10. Spicebush (Lindera) 11. Spirea (Spirea) 12. Sumac (Rhus) ...They include 10 points in the star shape (five petals, five sepals) representing apostles present at the Crucifixion (omitting Peter and Judas); 72 filaments for the traditional number of thorns in the crown of Christ; ...Oaks (Quercus) are the preferred host, though other susceptible species include apple (Malus), alder (Alnus), aspen (Populus), basswood or linden (Tilia), hawthorns (Crataegus) and willows (Salix) are also damaged.Unlike the yellow Lady Banks Rose, 'Alba Plena' has thorns and is fragrant but not quite as hardy.Dark olive-green leaves with no thorns or spines are sparsely covered with fibrous strands along the margins. Deep coral pink flowers with golden yellow throats crowd the length of the stalks that reach three feet or more.It will flower best if roots are kept crowded and potbound. Trim back side shoots to the first pair of leaves from the main stem. Bear in mind that if the plant is allowed to grow unhindered it starts to produce sharp thorns.