Kaffir cherry, Spiny Gardenia, Thorny Gardenia
Hyperacanthus amoenus

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A small erect tree. It grows 3-6 m high. It often has short spines. The branches are stiff. It usually has many stems. The leaves are shiny and dark green. The leaves are in pairs or sometimes in threes. The leaf blade is narrow sword shaped. It tapers to a short stalk. The leaves are 7 cm long by 2 cm wide. There are a few flowers in clusters at the ends of branches. They are funnel shaped and white but sometimes with pink. They have a scent. The fruit is round and 2 cm across. They can be 3.5 cm across. They are black when ripe. The fruit are edible.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in dry sandy soils. It grows between 100-330 m above sea level in Mozambique. It grows in both coastal and inland forests. It can grow in cold damp mountains and in dry hot plains. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bembetfy, Bembethu, Doringkatjiering, Indzabulaluvalo, Isibembethu, Ithongoti, Lerogori, Lerogosi, Lu-pembetu, Murombe, Umhla-baba, Umtongoti

Synonyms

Gardenia amoena Sims; Gardenia gerradiana Harv. & Sond.; Gardenia neuberia Eckl. & Zeyh.;