The flowers which are produced throughout the year are sweetly perfumed and the berries, rich in Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, are tart but edible.
The plant has vicious thorns and is often planted as a security hedge.
Native to South Africa from the Apocynaceae family and growing in coastal bush, coastal forests and on sand dunes, from Humansdorp northwards through Kwazulu-Natal to Mozambique, this shrub makes a good garden hedge and attracts birds and butterflies to the garden.
The fruits can be eaten raw or made into delicious jams or jellies.
