Thorny Tree

Description:

Many tropical plants have thorns and spines to help them survive. This very large tree has large and very sharp thorns on the trunk, especially the lower part. Often, new thorns will grow out of the older thorns. The thorns themselves can also serve as homes to small insects and many have holes in them. No two thorns are alike. It was the middle of the dry season and the tree did not have leaves or flowers. A roundish pod was present in the branches. There were noticeably less spines higher in the tree and branches than on the lower trunk.

Habitat:

This relatively old tree was growing at the entrance to the Mayan ruins of Hochob.