Tropical Plant "Sombra-de-touro"
Acanthosyris spinescens

Characteristics - Acanthosyris spinescens is a fruit tree not under cultivation, however it is relatively frequent in its natural habitat, the grasslands, forest " islands"(capao) and gallery forests of Western Rio Grande do Sul. It is a deciduous tree, thorny, 3-6 m tall with straight,axillary thorns of 8-15 mm. Leaves alternate or in fascicles on brachyblasts, char-taceous, glabrous with a prominent principal nerve, 3-6 cm long. Flowers androgynous, solitary or in pairs, axillary, a yellowish color, with a peduncle 7-10 mm long; they form in October-November. The fruits are globose drupes, with a thin skin, a very succulent pulp and a sweet, pleasant flavor; they mature in February-March.

Uses - The fruits are consumed only in their natural state and are not widely appreciated.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.