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Glite Dictionary
Jerusalem thorn

Jerusalem thorn

9.8
A thorny shrub or small tree with yellow flowers often grown in warm, dry places
  • noun
  • /dʒəˈruːsələm θɔrn/
translation icon : espino de Jerusalén
  • The Jerusalem thorn produces beautiful yellow flowers in the spring.

Examples

  • The distinctive fruits of the Jerusalem thorn are easily recognized by their winged appearance.

  • We planted a Jerusalem thorn in the garden to provide some shade.

  • The Jerusalem thorn is known for its beautiful flowers.

  • Many gardeners plant Jerusalem thorns for their vibrant colors.

  • The garden was brightened by the yellow flowers of the Jerusalem thorn, which attracted many butterflies.

  • In arid climates, the Jerusalem thorn thrives, providing both beauty and shade to the landscape.

  • As we walked through the desert park, we admired the striking Jerusalem thorn with its unique, thorny branches.

Synonyms

Parkinsonia aculeata
vsJerusalem thorn
  • Specialized
9.9

A small tree with sharp thorns and yellow-orange flowers that people grow in warm gardens or as hedges

is a general ornamental thorny shrub found in warm or dry regions
horsebean
vsJerusalem thorn
  • Specialized
9.9

A large spiny shrub or small tree with yellow orange flowers used as a hedge and for animal food

focuses on habitat and ornamental use rather than native origin

Surface Forms

Jerusalem thorn singular
Jerusalem thorns plural

Morphology

Jerusalem + thorn

The phrase combines the place-name 'Jerusalem' with the noun 'thorn', so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a thorny plant associated with or named after Jerusalem; the botanical sense (a thorny shrub with yellow flowers) follows directly from the constituents. Place-name + noun compound patterns for naming species are common cross-linguistically, supporting immediate comprehension.

Etymology

Jerusalem thorn may come from travellers who thought this spiny bush looked like the thorny plants in stories about Jerusalem. The name joins Jerusalem with the sharp branches (the thorn), and that simple image of a spiny, yellow-flowered shrub explains why we call this plant a 'Jerusalem thorn' today.