Colletia paradoxa (Anchor Plant)

Michael's Opinion

The anchor plant is endangered due to non native plant species. It is a slow growing shrub. This plant has very interesting stems with large triangular spikes, which can be confused as it leaves. Colletia paradoxa has interesting features throughout the seasons; small, attractive, creamy-whitish flowers bloom in the fall, with small green fruits following in early spring that eventually turn brown once matured in mid to late summer. Furthermore, the berries attract wildlife such as birds, hummingbirds, and pollinators. The anchor plant is drought resistant and prefers well drained soil. Its very pest and disease resistant. Additionally, the plant has been used in medicine and used as an ornamental. The anchor plant is used to treat skin ailments, respiratory issues, and to potentially treat mycobacterial infections such as tuberculosis and leprosy.

Botanical Information

FamilyRhamnaceae
GenusColletia
Speciesparadoxa
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous)
OriginThe Colletia paradoxa is native in South America, but more specifically to northeastern Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay. The genus Colletia was named by a French naturalist in honours of French botanist Philibert Collet. Colletia paradoxa was not a very popular plant, but it was introduced by Dr. Francesco Franceschi in the state of California in the year 1909. Dr. Francesco Franceschi's main objective in introducing this plant to the public was to bring a new species of plants to California, that was suitable to the surrounding climate. The plant was relocated in the Desert Garden at Huntington Gardens and Berkely Botanical Garden in 1949.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer		The uses and benefits of Colletia paradoxa in traditional medicine includes treatment skin ailments and respiratory issues. The roots and bark were used in medicine to reduce fevers. During tests the species indicated that it had natural antioxidants, and the potential to treat mycobacterial infections such as tuberculosis and leprosy.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6a - 11a
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone6b - 11b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH4 - H8
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-24) - 10
Temperature (°F)(-10) - 50
Height2.5 - 4 m
Spread2.5 - 5 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodJuly, August, September

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA slow growing, deciduous, medium sized shrub with flat triangular green with red ended spikes that look like an anchor or plane propeller. In spring (around April), it will provide tiny round green fruits. During the autumn it will produce clusters of creamy-whitish flowers.
ID CharacteristicA shrub that is nearly leafless. Entirely green with flattened triangular spikes that resemble an anchor, with small red spines at the tips. White bell like flowers with 5 petals that have a sweet fragrance in the autumn. After the flowers fall off, small yellow cups reveal green fruits that then turn into brown with age and grow in clusters during the spring time. New growth may have small leaves where flowers and fruits tend to bloom.
ShapeIts shape is an upright, round, very branched out, and woody shrub that is thorny. Colletia paradoxa can take 10 to 20 years to reach full maturity and height.
LandscapeIt has been used in multiple ways other than ornamental, such as in gardens and bonsai practice. The wood from Colletia paradoxa is used in house construction, agricultural implements, and wagons. Since the Colletia paradoxa is a shrub, it can be used for hedging if the plant is sheltered. Some locations this plant is used in are banks and slopes, Mediterranean climate plants, patio planters, coastal, and wall side boarders. This plant can also be used as live barb wire.
PropagationIt is possible to propagate from both cuttings from the Colletia paradoxa, and with the seeds from the fruit. The best time to start collecting cuttings is during late summer while the plant is ripe; cut from smaller side shoots. Trimming the tips while it is still young promotes the bushiness as it grows up. Colletia paradoxa tolerates medium to hard pruning.
CultivationIt is a slow growing shrub. Colletia paradoxa prefers to grow in dry and temperate areas. Due to the Colletia paradoxa being able to create its nitrogen, it allows it to grow in poor nutrient soils. It prefers well-draining soil and is typically seen in sandy - loamy type soil. Colletia paradoxa can grow neutral, alkaline, and acidic soil conditions. The Colletia paradoxa requires full sun exposure, facing south or west. Prefers to have shelter, and can also be placed in a cool greenhouse.
PestsTypically, Colletia paradoxa is disease free. Occasionally a snail or slug can be found on the plant, but otherwise it is pest free. Due to the spikes, it is also Deer resistant. Some birds may pick seeds off the plant during fruiting.
Notable SpecimensBirmingham Botanical Garden, Westbourne Rd, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Cambridge University Botanical Garden, 1 Brookside, Cambridge, United Kingdom. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, California, United States. San Francisco Botanical Garden, 1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122, United States.
HabitatColletia paradoxa comes from scrubby dry hillside woodland areas. Colletia paradoxa can be found in South America, but more specifically to northeastern Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay. Can grow in subtropical, Mediterranean, desert, and temperate climate.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe stem is a green-bluish hue with red spines at the tips. The straight flattened triangles attached to the stem are an extension of the stem itself. The triangular extensions are called cladodes or cladophylls, and they assist with photosynthesis. The triangle extensions tend to grow opposite of another. It has stiff branches and is stout.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionThe flower bud is in the shape of a pear, and its colour is cream-white.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaves on a Colletia paradoxa are deciduous. It is minuscule, margins are very slightly serrate, apices are obtuse, and the leaf shape resembles closely to ovate and elliptical. The leaves will be present on younger branches and new growth, and absent on older areas of branches.
Flower DescriptionThe Colletia paradoxa flower is bisexual. Its petals resemble a star with rounded ends that are a cream-white colour. The shape is urceolate which resembles a bell or pitcher. The size is roughly 4-5 mm, the stigma is yellow, the style is white, and the anther can be black and yellow. The calyx of the flowers is yellow. The fragrance of the flower resembles closely to almonds, lilac, and vanilla.
Fruit DescriptionThe fruit capsules are combined in clusters of 3. They are brown, dry and leathery, and mature in the middle of summer.
Colour DescriptionColletia paradoxa is a green, bluish, and greyish colour and will stay that colour throughout all seasons. During the summer it will provide cream coloured flowers. In the spring the plant will provide green fruits that turn to brown capsule fruits.
Texture DescriptionNew growth has a texture similar to pine needles. Its stem and fruit are dry and rough, almost leathery.

Photographs