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Spiny Turkey-berry
Canthium spinosum
SA tree no: 707
English: Spiny Turkey-berry, Thorny Turkey-berry, Coastal Turkey-berry, Coastal Canthium, Thorny Rock-alder
Afrikaans: Doringkatjiepiering, Doringbruidsbos, Doringklipels, Doringbokdrol
Xhosa: ubuchopho benja, isiphambatho
Zulu: umcenyane, umphembethu, umvuthwamini-omncane
Historical scientific names: Plectronia spinosa
Misapplied scientific names: Canthium lividum
Canthium spinosum, commonly known as Spiny Turkey-berry or Doringkatjiepiering, is a distinctive indigenous deciduous or semi-deciduous shrub or small tree. It is characterised by its stiff, often zig-zagging branches bearing prominent thorns, small glossy green leaves, and the unique, two-lobed, shiny black fruits that are a favoured food source for birds, similar to its thornless relative, Canthium inerme.
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Distinguishing features:
Presence of strong, sharp, paired thorns, usually on older branches and branchlets, sometimes appearing singly.
Stiff, often zig-zagging or angled branches.
Small, glossy dark green leaves, usually clustered at the nodes.
Small, inconspicuous, greenish-white to yellowish flowers.
Distinctive, shiny black, two-lobed (bilobed) fruit, resembling a turkey's head.
Overall appearance:
The Spiny Turkey-berry (Canthium spinosum) is a dense, often multi-stemmed deciduous or semi-deciduous shrub or small tree, notable for its stiff, often spiny branches that give it a somewhat unruly yet attractive appearance. It carries small, glossy green leaves, and produces abundant, uniquely shaped, glossy black, two-lobed fruits that are a major draw for local birds.
Height:
Typically grows 2 to 5 metres tall as a shrub, but can reach up to 7 metres as a small tree.
Width:
Can spread to a width of 1.5 to 3 metres, forming a dense, often impenetrable, bushy crown.
Leaves:
The leaves are opposite, simple, oval to elliptical or somewhat round, typically 1-5 cm long and 0.5-2.5 cm wide. They are glossy dark green on the upper surface and paler underneath, often clustered on short side shoots or at the nodes. The margins are entire (smooth). It is deciduous in colder or drier conditions, losing its leaves in winter, but can be semi-deciduous in milder climates.
Flowers:
The flowers are very small (about 3-4 mm in diameter), star-shaped, with 4-5 greenish-white to pale yellow petals. They are borne in small, dense clusters (axillary cymes) in the leaf axils, usually in spring before or with the new leaves. They are sweetly scented. Canthium spinosum flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive parts.
Flowering season:
It primarily flowers in spring (around September to November), often before or as the new leaves emerge.
Fruits:
The fruit is a small, fleshy, bilobed (two-lobed) drupe, about 1-1.5 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide. It ripens from green to a shiny black, with a distinct constriction in the middle, resembling a turkey's head or a pair of small, fused spheres. Each lobe contains a single seed. The fruits are produced in abundance and are edible.
Seeds:
Each fruit contains two hard, hemispherical seeds (pyrenes) within the fleshy pulp. These seeds are dispersed by birds and other animals that consume the fruit.
Bark/Stems:
The bark is smooth and greyish-brown on young branches, becoming darker and sometimes fissured with age. The young stems are often green and stiff, with a zig-zag growth pattern between the thorns.
Thorns:
Present and prominent. Strong, sharp, paired thorns (sometimes appearing singly due to abortion of one) are found in the leaf axils, often on short side branches. They are typically 0.5-3 cm long.
Wood:
The wood is hard, dense, and pale yellowish-brown. It is durable and has been traditionally used for fence posts, tool handles, and general carpentry, though not used for large-scale timber.
Roots:
It has a well-developed, non-aggressive, fibrous root system, making it good for soil stabilisation and allowing it to tolerate dry periods.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils, from sandy to loamy and even heavier clay soils. It tolerates poor soil conditions and a range of pH levels.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and very tolerant of wind. It is also moderately frost-tolerant, especially mature plants, though it may lose its leaves in severe frost but usually recovers from the rootstock.
Ediblity:
The ripe black fruits are edible for humans. They have a sweet but slightly tart flavour and are sometimes consumed raw.
Toxicity:
Considered non-toxic.
Uses:
An excellent, hardy indigenous plant for security hedging (due to its thorns), screens, windbreaks, and as a background plant in gardens. It is particularly useful for wildlife gardens due to its fruit, which attracts birds. It can be used for soil stabilisation on banks and in degraded areas. The wood has traditional uses for various implements.
Ecology:
The small, scented flowers are attractive to a variety of insects, including bees, which are important pollinators. Its most significant ecological role comes from its abundant fruits, which are a major food source for numerous bird species (hence "Turkey-berry"). Birds like turacos (loeries), barbets, starlings, bulbuls, and many others eagerly feed on the ripe berries, aiding in seed dispersal. The dense, thorny foliage provides excellent protective nesting sites and cover for birds and small mammals, deterring predators.
Distribution and habitat:
Canthium spinosum is widely distributed across many provinces of South Africa, including the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Gauteng. It also extends into neighbouring countries like Swaziland and Mozambique. It typically grows in dry, open woodlands, savannas, rocky hillsides, bushveld, and along riverbanks, often in hot, arid to semi-arid regions.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Canthium is derived from "kanti," a Malabar (Indian) name for a species in this genus.
The species name spinosum is Latin for "spiny" or "thorny," clearly referring to the prominent thorns that are a key characteristic of this species.
Common names like "Spiny Turkey-berry" combine its thorny nature with the resemblance of its fruit to a turkey's head.
Historical aspects:
As a robust and widespread indigenous plant, Canthium spinosum has been historically significant, especially in drier regions. Its thorny nature provided natural barriers for early settlements and kraals. Indigenous communities would have valued its durable wood and its edible fruits. Its resilience in harsh conditions and its role in providing food and shelter for wildlife continue to make it an important part of the South African landscape.
Interesting facts:
This plant is the ultimate natural security fence – it's covered in super sharp thorns that make it perfect for keeping unwanted visitors out (or birds safe!).
Just like its thornless cousin, it produces those funny, two-lobed fruits that look like mini turkey heads, and birds absolutely adore them!
It's incredibly tough and can handle really dry and hot conditions, making it a true survivor of the South African bushveld.
When it loses its leaves in winter (if it gets chilly enough), you can really see its cool zig-zaggy branches and formidable thorns.
Growing tips:
Propagation: Easily propagated from fresh seed, which germinates readily. Can also be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings.
Planting: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. Plant in well-drained soil; it is very adaptable to various soil types, including poor or rocky soils.
Watering: Water regularly during its establishment phase (first year). Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant and needs minimal watering.
Frost Protection: Moderately frost-tolerant. It may lose its leaves in colder areas, but usually recovers from the rootstock.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Can be pruned to shape or to create a denser hedge. Be mindful of the thorns when handling!
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Semi-deciduous, deciduous, tree, shrub or perennial
Plant family:
Rubiaceae (red (the roots, used in dyeing)) - Order: Gentianales