Colletia paradoxa

 

 

학명 : Colletia paradoxa (Spreng.) Escal.

Synonym : Colletia cruciata Gillies & Hook.

Family : 갈매나무과(Rhamnaceae)

Common Name : Anchor plant 

 

사진 : 2023.02.03 광릉수목원

 

 

 

줄기에서 나온 납작한 삼각상 형태(닻 모양)는 위엽이다. 위엽 선단에는 가시가 있다

 

 

 

 

 

 

설명 

 

Plant type: Perennial shrub

Environment: Full sun, well-drained soil

Bloom: Small, white, fragrant flowers growing close to the stem

Uses: Border plant or specimen plant

 

About

Anchor plant (Colletia paradoxa (Spreng.) Escal.) is a unique shrub from South America. It is native to northeastern Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay. In this range Colletia paradoxa grows in temperate, dry regions. It is also able to fix nitrogen into a usable form, allowing it to grow in nutrient poor soils.

In Brazil, Colletia paradoxa is considered to be endangered due to habitat loss and the invasion of nonnative plant species. The anchor plant is also not very common in cultivation, though it was introduced into cultivation in California in 1909 by Dr. Francesco Franceschi. Dr. Franceschi was an Italian horticulturist focused on introducing new species to California that were suitable for its Mediterranean climate.

 

The structure of Colletia paradoxa is visually quite unique. The flattened triangles protruding from the stem are actually an extension of the stem, called cladodes or cladophylls. These cladodes act as leaves and are photosynthetic, with the chlorophyll necessary for the process giving them their green hue. The plant does produce small leaves on its new growth, but they are deciduous and fall off quickly. The cladodes are arranged opposite from each other on the stem, appearing like the anchor of a ship, giving the plant its common name. These “anchors” are tipped with small, sharp spines, protecting the species from grazing animals.

The anchor plant has small, white flowers that emerge close to the stem. The flowers are quite fragrant, with an aroma like almonds. The tiny flowers are typically pollinated by insects.

Though Colletia paradoxa can reach heights of over 10 feet, it is very slow growing and will take many years to reach that height. In the garden it would serve nicely as a border plant or an architectural specimen plant. C. paradoxa requires a sheltered location, protected from the elements, in full sun, with well-drained soil.

 

https://www.sfbg.org/colletia-paradoxa

 

아래는 Wikipedia의 꽃 사진