Common spike-thorn
Maytenus heterophylla

Family: Celastraceae

What it is like

It can be a straggling bush or small tree. It grows up to 6 m tall. Often it has spines. The branches can be spreading and drooping. The trunk can be 46 cm across. There is a lot of variation in the form of this plant, even in one locality. The leaves can be dark or pale green. They can be alternate or in tufts at the ends of branches. They are normally 1.3-5 cm long and 0.6-2.5 cm wide. The base is usually narrowed. The edges may be toothed. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. They are small and white or cream or green. They are usually in much-branched clusters. Flowers are fertilised by blue-bottle flies. The fruit are 3 celled capsules. They can be 1.9 cm across.

There are about 200 Maytenus species. It may be changed to Gymnosporia. It has medicinal properties.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in a range of locations. In South Africa it grows from sea level to 1500 m altitude. It is often associated with limestone.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. The roots are boiled and eaten as a vegetable.

A famine food.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, fruit, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Pendoring, Spike-thorn

Synonyms

Celastrus heterophyllus Eckl. & Zeyh.; Catha heterophylla (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl.; Gymnosporia buxifolia (L.) Szyszyl; Gymnosporia woodii Szyszyl.; Gymnospora heterophylla (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Loes.; Gymnospora condensata Sprague; Gymnosporia angularis (Sond.) Sim; Gymnosporia elliptica (Thunb.) Schonl.; Gymnosporia uniflora Davison; Gymnosporia crataegiflora Davison; Maytenus cymosa (Soland.) Exell;