Wildflower Nursery

Indigenous Plants for a Sustainable Future

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Grassland Biome Experts
    • Who We Work With
    • Services and Products
    • Project Portfolio
  • Indigenous Library
  • Articles
  • e-Newsletter
  • Contact

Gymnosporia heterophylla

by Johan Wentzel

Common Name
Angle-stem Spikethorn
Plant Type
Shrub
Gymnosporia heterophylla varies between a shrub or small tree, with drooping branches, with long straight thorns that makes it a very effective, fast-growing security hedge.
Plant Description

Gymnosporia heterophylla (previously known as Maytenus heterophylla) can either be  a shrub or a small tree, with drooping branches, with long straight thorns. The bark on mature trees are greyish-brown  and rough. The leaves are green and hairless and is usually clustered on very short branchlets in the axils of the spines or occasionally on green spines. Whitish flowers are clustered among the leaves and have a very stong, unpleasant scent. The fruit are 3-lobed greenish-yellow to greyish-brown capsules which are wrinkled when dry.

Gymnosporia heterophylla, with its spiky thorns, make a very effective, fast-growing security hedge. The wood is hard and durable, suitable for carving. The flowers however attract flies along with other pollinating insects with its scented flowers.

Afrikaanse Naam
Riffelstam-pendoring
Hardiness
Hardy
Position
Sun
Water Requirements
Water wise
Evergreen
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Moderate
Flowering Time
Autumn
Flower Colour
White
Shape
Round
Soil
Sand
Plant Size
5m
Region
Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga
Habitat
Rocky places
Grown by Wildflower Nursery
No

Contact Us

Johan – 082 801 1741
[email protected]

Annette – 082 908 6591
[email protected]

Subscribe to our Monthly e-Newsletter

* indicates required

Indigenous Plant Palette Selector

Use the Indigenous Plant Palette Selector to create a list of plants for your specific needs.

Search the Plant Database

Copyright © 2025 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · Powered by ITM Web Development · Log in