Summary: Colletia cruciata is a thorny shrub of the Rhamnaceae family native to South America.

Botanical name: Colletia cruciata Gill. & Hook.

Synonyms: Colletia paradoxa (Spreng.) Escalante, Colletia bictanensis Lindl, Colletia bictoensis Lindl, Colletia exserta Klotzsch ex Reissek

Family: Rhamnaceae

Origin: South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay)

IUCN Red List: VU

Common name: Collétie, collétie en forme de croix, collétie croisette

Hardiness: zones 7-10 (-15°C for short periods)

Colletia cruciata is a thorny shrub from southern South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay) with triangular leaves ending in thorns. It slowly reaches 2 to 3 metres in height. It likes stony soil or rocks. The fragrant bloom attracts insects and takes place from late summer to late autumn.