Emex spinosa

Devil's thorn

Family: Polygonaceae · Type: annual · Not Native

Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes

Devil's thorn is a naturalized annual found in coastal California regions including the central and southern coastal areas in dry, sandy, disturbed places at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from May to December, this plant produces small, inconspicuous green flowers. Growing with stems 30 to 80 centimeters tall, it spreads across disturbed ground with a sprawling habit. Its leaves have broad blades 3 to 13 centimeters long and 1 to 12 centimeters wide, supported by petioles 1.5 to 4 centimeters in length. The distinctive fruit features three-angled perianths with 8 to 12 pit-like depressions and short spines 1.5 to 3 millimeters long, giving the plant its memorable "devil's thorn" nickname.

Habitat: Dry, sandy, disturbed places

Bloom period: May-Dec

Elevation: < 500 m

Bioregions: CCo, SCo

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.