Distribution Map

Gymnosporia buxifolia

                   
       
Common Spike-thorn
Sibhubhu
sibhuku
sihlangu
siHlangu lesimnyama
sihlangulesimnyama
(Maytenus heterophylla)
(Maytenus cymosus)
(Maytenus mossambicencis var. mossambicensis)

Celastraceae   

As at April 2024, 21 herbarium specimens, 10 photo records, 77 visual observations

South African Red List status: LC
Global Distribution: Also occurs outside southern Africa
Found within protected areas: Malolotja
Medicinal
Other uses

Description (Compton's Flora of Swaziland*):
Maytenus heterophylla - (Sihlangu) Large shrub with rigid branches, often having stiff lateral branch-spines, but frequently spineless; hairless throughout. Leaves often tufted on very short lateral shoots, often grey, widest above middle, tip blunt, toothless, veins inconspicuous, tapering gradually to slender stalk, up to 7 cm long )< 2 cm wide. Flowers copious in much-branched lateral inflorescences, often with characteristic unpleasant smell; petals white. Fruits pink or grey, c 5 mm diam.

* Where species names have changed, these have been matched according to herbarium specimens quoted in this publication.

Notes:
Global distribution information: southern Africa includes southern Mozambique and southern Zimbabwe.
Restricted distribution has been based on an estimated extent of occurence of less than 100 000 km2 and/or an estimated area of occupancy of 100 km2, based on geo-referenced GBIF and iNaturalist data.