Lemon thorn, Spiny cassinopsis
Cassinopsis ilicifolia

Family: Icacinaceae

What it is like

An evergreen scrambling shrub. It grows 4 m high and spreads 4 m wide. The branches are slender and flexible and are alternate. They can be trailing and they have a zigzag pattern. There are spines on the stems. These are straight and can be 2.5 cm long. The leaves are green and shiny above but dull green underneath. The flowers are cream or white and star shaped. They are 2 mm across. They are in clusters opposite the spines. The fruit are fleshy and slightly flattened. They are bright orange-red when ripe. They are 13 mm long.

There are 4 Cassinopsis species. They grow in southern Africa.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in mountain forest. It grows in moist well-drained places. It can tolerate frost and drought. It can grow in sun or shade. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are edible.

The fruit do not have a good taste or flavour.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds. Seeds germinate easily. Seedlings can be transplanted at the one leaf stage.

It grows quite fast.

Its other names

Local names

Holly cassinopsis, Icegceya, Ikhubalo, Imamba elihlaza, Italazane, Izinhlogo, Motale, Sihloko

Synonyms

Hartogia ilicifolia Hochst.; Cassine ilicifolia Hochst.; Cassinopsis capensis Sonder;