Bee-sting bush, Fore thorn, Four-thorns
Azima tetracantha

Family: Salvadoraceae

What it is like

A spiny evergreen shrub. It has many tangled branches. It grows 0.6 to 8 m tall. There are 4 spines at each pair of leaves. The spines are 3.5 cm long and sharp and straight. The leaves are yellow-green. The leaf blade is oblong and 1.4 cm wide by 6 cm long. The veins show up clearly. The flowers are small and green. They are produced in the axils of leaves in loose clusters. The fruit are small berries 6-8 mm across. They are green and turn white or yellow when ripe. The seeds are black and shaped like a disk.

There are 4 Azima species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is commonly found on poor eroded soils. It can grow on salt affected soils. It grows from sea level to 1120 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Arabia, Asia, Bangladesh, Burundi, Central Africa, East Africa, Comoros, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Pacific, Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten as a snack food.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants grow from seed.

The tree flowers and fruits throughout the year.

Its other names

Local names

Batsodli, Fantsikandilany, Goramaky, Ichanka, Kantagurkamai, Kundali, Ligumkelii, Mohnan, Mugumokei, Mutchangan, Mwele-wele, Needle bush, Ribaba, Sakapat, Sikhumekele, Stink bush, Sukka-pat, Tella-upi, Telluppi, Trikanta-gati, Umvisankunzi

Synonyms

Monetia barlerioides L’Herit.; Monetia tetracantha (Lam.) Salib.; Azima spinossima Engl.; Azima tetracantha var. laxior C.H. Wright;