Jerusalem thorn

Where does Jerusalem thorn grow?

Found in: Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Antilles, Asia, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central America, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Galapagos, Ghana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesser Antilles, Libya, Marquesas, Martinique, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Sahel, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Uruguay, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are (2-3) 12-29 Parkinsonia species. The thorns make it a weed problem. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Status: The seeds are eaten especially by children.

Growing Jerusalem thorn

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seeds can be put in boiling water then allowed to cool down before planting. Seed can spread in flood waters. The seed are best sown fresh. Seedlings can be transplanted after 6-10 weeks. Plants can also be grown from root or stem cuttings and air-layering. Plants can be used to form hedges. They can be cut back and will re-grow.

Edible Uses: The immature seeds are eaten raw. Ripe seeds are roasted and ground and used as a coffee substitute. The seeds are also parched, sun dried and cooked and eaten. The fruit pulp is sweet and edible.

Production: It grows quickly.

Nutrition Info

Jerusalem thorn Photos

References

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