Round-leaved Poison Bush
Acokanthera rotundata

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are 5-7 Acokanthera species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows on cliffs and among rocks in open grassland.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

Caution: The fruit are poisonous. They are bitter but eaten when ripe.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Inhlungunyemba

Synonyms

Acokanthera schimperi (A. DC.) Schweinf. var. rotundata Codd;