Gundelia tournefortii
< On the list of Rare and Endangered Plants of Armenia
Gundelia
File:250px-Gundelia tournefortii.jpg The gundelia is a spiny, thistle-like flowering plant of the genus Gundelia L. in the sunflower family (Asteraceae).
They occur in the semi-desert areas of Armenia, Asia Minor, Iraq and Iran.
A member of this genus, tumbleweed G. tournefortii came under the spotlights in 1998, when its pollen grains were found in abundance on the Shroud of Turin. This fact served a claim in establishing the provenance of the shroud. It has been suggested that this spiny plant may be the "crown of thorns", symbol of humiliation of Jesus. More likely it was Christ's thorn jujube (Zizyphus spina-christi) or maybe both.
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Plant in Armenia
Կանգար տուրնեֆորի (“Kagar turnefori”)
Status
Rare species. Small populations can be met in the eastern parts of Ararat Marz.
Habitat in Armenia
Grows in the floristic region of Yerevan.
Habitat and ecology
Grows in dry rocky hills.
Biology and potential value
Has huge scientific value. Some parts of the plant are used in food.
Measures of protection
Should be protected in Erebuni reserve.