Spiny canthium, Coastal canthium
Canthium spinosum

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1.5-9 m tall. It has spines up to 2.5 cm long. These occur in pairs. The leaves grow in bunches on short warty growths. The leaves are green above and lighter underneath. They are 1.3-5 cm long. The flowers are small and green. They occur in short spreading heads. These are in the axils of leaves. The fruit are often 2-lobed. Fruit are bluish-green when ripe. They are edible.

There are about 200 Canthium species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is usually in coastal forests. It is often on rocky hill slopes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They have a pleasant flavour.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Coastal turkey-berry

Synonyms

Plectronia spinosa Klotzsch ex Eckl. & Zeyh.;