Sarcopoterium spinosum

Botanical Description

Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach (previously identified as Poterium spinosum L.) is a spiny rosaceaeous dwarf shrub, 30–60 cm in height, with branches ending in dichotomous and leafless thorns. It appears over a wide range of climatic conditions from the semi-arid ecotone between the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian vegetation zones to the sub-humid Mediterranean regions. The combination of the plant’s clonal and sexual reproduction contributes to its long term survival and dominance.