Black forest spike-thorn
Maytenus mossambicensis

Family: Celastraceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 8 m tall. It has many branches. It has long sharp straight spines. These are at right angles to the stem. The leaves are oval or rounded. They have short, sharp teeth. The leaves are 6 cm long. The flowers are small. They are in tufts of a few together. The petals are white. The fruit are reddish or pink. They are 7 mm across.

Where it is found

Brisbane Botanical Garden. In Africa it grows in forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten as a snack.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

SiHlangu, Umgungulutane, UmTabhane

Synonyms

Gymnosporia mossambicensis (Klotzsch) Loes.;