Tortoise berry
Muraltia spinosa

Family: Polygalaceae

What it is like

A rounded shrub with thorns. It grows 1 m tall. The side branches are short and thorny. The leaves are oblong and with short leaf stalks. The flowers occur singly in the axils of the leaves. They are purple, pink and white. The fruit are red or orange and fleshy.

The name is ambiguous.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows on sandy flats.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. It also quenches thirst.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bokbessie, Cargoe, Duinebessie, Mmaba, Skilpadbessie

Synonyms

Mundia spinosa (L.) DC.; Nylandtia spinosa (L.) Dumort.;