On 16/10/07 09:54, in article ,
"Emery Davis" wrote:

On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:56:47 +0100
Sacha wrote:

While at Marwood Hill today, we saw a small tree with unbelievably horrible
thorns! All I remember of the name (I had nothing to write on) was that it
ended in Americana. The thorns were shaped like hooked rose thorns but a
great deal larger and were all up the trunk and along every branch and twig.
I've never seen such a brute but I should think it's a security firm's dream
plant. Does anyone know what it might be?

Hi Sacha,

Kalopanax? What were the leaves like?

Kalopanax looks very much like it, though there weren't many leaves to be
seen. I think you've got it, thank you. I thought it ended in 'americana'
but I was trying to remember several things and kick myself now for not
having my usual notebook with me. It was quite a mature specimen and must
have been there several years. Where does it originate, do you know?

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'