Jerusalem thorn

noun

1. Christ's-thorn
2. a spiny tropical American tree, Parkinsonia aculeata, of the legume family, having long clusters of large yellow flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jerusalem thorn¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

The soil was mulched with pea gravel here as well as out front, where a concrete driveway replaced asphalt and drought-tolerant agaves, euphorbias and Jerusalem thorn trees replaced the turf.

From Los Angeles Times

The path leads past Swiss-cheese plants, so called for the distinctive holes in the lobes of their enormous leaves; showy bougainvillea; calla lilies; and the bright yellow flowers of the Jerusalem thorn tree.

From New York Times

Denham, strolling leisurely up and down the broad, clean-swept garden path flanked by its red lines of Jerusalem thorn, was inclined to think that his lines had fallen in pleasant places.

From Project Gutenberg