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Christmas Berry
Chironia baccifera
SA tree number
English: Christmas Berry
Afrikaans: Aambeibossie, Bitterbossie
Chironia baccifera, known as Christmas Berry, is a bushy perennial shrub with bright, sweet-pink, tubular flowers in summer that follow with glossy red berries—used traditionally for medicinal purposes.
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Distinguishing features:
Bushy perennial shrublet up to about 70 cm tall
Sessile, linear, soft to slightly succulent bright green leaves, 5–20 mm long × 1–2.5 mm wide, glabrous
Showy solitary, terminal deep pink, shortly tubular flowers up to 20 mm in diameter, with prominent yellow stamens inserted in the mouth of the tube, flowering November to January
Glossy red berries about 7 mm in diameter, fruiting January to March, containing many black seeds
Overall appearance:
A neat, rounded, much‑branched perennial shrublet, with succulent leaves and bright-pink tubular flowers and red berries.
Height:
Up to 70 cm
Leaves:
Sessile, linear, soft to slightly succulent, bright green, glabrous; 5–20 mm long and 1–2.5 mm wide.
Flowers:
Solitary, terminal, deep pink, shortly tubular, up to 20 mm in diameter; prominent yellow stamens at tube mouth; flowering from November to January.
Flowering season:
November to January
Fruits:
Glossy red berries, ± 7 mm in diameter, containing many black seeds; fruiting from January to March.
Seeds:
Many black seeds within each berry.
Stems:
Much-branched woody at base, forming a rounded shrublet.
Soil type:
Dry sandy soil at dunes, forest margins, lower mountain slopes.
Aspect:
Thrives in dry, well‑drained sunny sites.
Edibility:
Berries are not recorded as edible; plant is used medicinally but may be mildly toxic.
Toxicity:
Mild toxicity implied; medicinal use suggests internal use with caution.
Uses:
Traditionally used by the Khoi and adopted by early European settlers.
Commonly used as a purgative and bitter tonic.
Said to treat ailments like haemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, syphilis, leprosy, diabetes, and kidney/bladder infections.
Used to expel retained placenta and purify blood for skin conditions like acne and boils.
Plant parts fried in butter were applied to sores.
Side effects include loose stools and drowsiness.
Combined with Peucedanum galbanum (wildeselery) as a Cape remedy for arthritis.
Contains gentiopicroside and chironiocide—bitter compounds also used in the liquor industry.
Toxic to small livestock; just 250 g of dry material can kill a sheep.
Ecology:
Bright flowers likely attract pollinators; berries likely eaten by birds (implied by bright glossy fruit).
Distribution and habitat:
Widespread in Western and Eastern Cape, Namaqualand south to Cape Peninsula and east into KwaZulu‑Natal; in dry sandy soil from sea level to lower mountain slopes, often as an undershrub on dunes or at forest margins.
Derivation of name:
The name Chironia refers to this plant's medicinal attributes. It is named after Chiron, the good Centaur of Greek mythology who studied medicine and other arts.The specific epiphet, baccifera, means berry-bearing.
The attractive red berries ripen at Christmas-hence the common name.
The Afrikaans name aambeibessie refers to its use as a remedy for piles.
Interesting facts:
The name ‘Christmas Berry’ is spot on—bright red berries appear in summer, around festive season.
Though it looks cute and harmless, the flowers pack a punch of medicinal power as a traditional remedy.
The berries are glossy and eye-catching—perfect for birds but maybe not for snacking!
Growing tips:
Plant in well‑drained, dry sandy soil in full sun for best health and flowering
Water sparingly; suited to drought‑prone coastal gardens
Prune lightly after fruiting to maintain shape and encourage new growth
Propagation by seed is possible once berries mature around March
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Plant family (derivation)