African Boxthorn is an upright spiny shrub usually growing 2-3 metres tall and spreading about 3 metres across if given half a chance. Large, painful spines are borne along the stems and smaller spines are borne at the ends of short side-branches. The leaves are hairless and somewhat fleshy and are usually borne in groups of at the stem joints. The white or pale lilac tubular flowers are borne singly or in pairs in the forks of the leaves. Flowers can be found at most times of the year with a flush in April to May and August to December. The berries are egg-shaped or rounded that turn orange-red or bright red in colour when mature.

Native to southern Africa this species is easily spread by birds and provides a haven for pest animals such as rabbits and foxes. Large specimens are difficult to remove given the sharp spines that make access to the trunk difficult.

Photos courtesy of Neil Tucker.