Gymnosporia arbutifolia

Family: Celastraceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1-8 m tall. It has spines up to 7 cm long. The branches are flattened and angular and have reddish-brown hairs when young. The leaves are dark green above and more pale underneath. The shape varies but can be narrowly oval and 1-9 cm long by 0.4-4 cm wide. There are shallow teeth along the edge. The flower petals can be white, cream or greenish. The fruit is a greenish purple and turns red at maturity. They are 0.4-0.8 cm long by 0.4-0.6 cm wide. There are 3 valves and 3 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can grow in savannah.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The young leaves are boiled and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kuknit

Synonyms

Celastrus arbutifolius Hochst. ex A. Rich.; Maytenus arbutifolia (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. Wilczek; Maytenus serrata (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. Wilczek; and others