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Overview
Acokanthera oblongifolia or Bushman's Poison is a dense, medium sized, evergreen shrub to small tree with leathery and glossy, oblong, dark green leaves which turn to shades of purple in winter.
It produces the prettiest clusters of fragrant, white flowers with five petals set in a star shape that last through spring and summer - these mature to Olive-like fruits.
There is a variegated variety that has blotched green and cream foliage and is smaller in overall size.
Soil: This plant will need a well drained soil in a sunny location to get best results.
Although needing a warm climate they are hardy to buffeting winds and coastal conditions.
Maintenance: Pruning is suggested after flowering to prevent the plant wasting energy on producing fruits, which are not edible and best not left to lie arund to poison animals and birds.
They require little attention being quite tough and will handle drought conditions.
Propagate from cuttings in summer.
Diseases: None of note.
Invasiveness: This plant is invasive and needs to be contained, it is not be recommended for general planting in uncontrolled urban environments.
Toxicity: This is a thoroughly toxic plant to humans and animals, though it is still popular in cultivation.
The sap is highly toxic containing cardiac glycosides which were used to coat poison arrows in Africa.
Other Species: A small genus of plants, all with toxic, milky sap..
Comments: It has also been used medicinally as a treatment for snakebites, itches and intestinal worms.
N.B. do not ingest - can cause skin/eye irritation.
Author: Bob Saunders.