Colletia
(named after Philibert Collet, a French botanical writer, 1643-1718). ORD. Rhamneae. Much-branched greenhouse or half-hardy shrubs. Petals absent, or very minute; calyx campanulate, coloured. Leaves, when present, simple, opposite, stipulate, deciduous, very minute, entire. Branches divarieating, decussately opposite; branchlets spiny. They are extremely curious plants, and are best grown in sheltered, isolated positions, where their peculiar character can be readily seen. A good loamy soil is most suitable. Cuttings of half-ripened wood, 6in. to 8in. in length, will root readily in well-drained pots of sandy soil, in a cool greenhouse; they should then be placed in a close, cold frame, until fully established.
C. armata (armed). A synonym of C. spinosa.
C. Bictonensis (Bicton). A synonym of C. cruciata.
C. cruciata (cruciform). fl. solitary. l. very few, elliptic, quite entire. Stem very prickly; spines decussate, compressed laterally, broad, ovate acute, decurrent. h. 4ft. Rio de la Plata, 1824. SYN. C. Bictonensis. (B. M. 5033.) C. ferox (fierce). A synonym of C. spinosa.
C. horrida (horrid). A synonym of C. spinosa.
C. polyacantha (many-spined). A synonym of C. spinosa. C. serratifolia. See Discaria serratifolia.
C. spinosa (spiny). fl. in scattered fascicles; calyx urceolate; filaments elongated, exserted. May to July. l. elliptic, quite entire; spines very strong, awl-shaped. h. 3ft. to 10ft. Chili and Peru, 1823. SYNS. C. armata, C. ferox, C. horrida, C. polyacantha, C. valdiviana. (G. C. n. s., viii., p. 616.) C. ulicina (Ulex-like). fl., calyx elongated, cylindrical; fascicles crowded at the tops of the branches. Spines slender, very numerous. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Chili.
C. valdiviana (Valdivian). A synonym of C. spinosa.