Allthorn (Koeberlinia spinosa): A Leafless, Thorny Desert Shrub

Koeberlinia spinosa, the Allthorn, is a unique, leafless desert shrub consisting entirely of intricate, rigid, green, photosynthetic branches that end in sharp thorns. It has no true leaves. In spring, it produces masses of tiny, fragrant, white flowers along the stems, followed by small black berries. This monotypic genus is a remarkable adaptation to extreme aridity, native to the Southwestern US and Mexico.