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African Dogwood

Rhamnus prinoides

SA tree no: 452

English: African Dogwood, Dogwood, Camdeboo Stinkwood, Glossy-leaf, Shiny-leaf Buckthorn

Afrikaans: Blinkblaar, Camdeboostinkhout

Xhosa: umGlindi, Umlindi

Zulu: umGilindi, uNyenye, umHlinye

Siswati: liNyenye

S. Sotho: Mofifi

Synonyms: Alaternus prinoides, Celtis rhamnifolia, Sageretia prinoides

Rhamnus prinoides, commonly known as the African Dogwood or Blinkblaar (meaning "shiny-leaf"), is a beautiful and very versatile evergreen shrub or small tree. It's easily identified by its glossy, dark green leaves with finely toothed margins that make it look attractive all year round.

It produces small, greenish-yellow flowers, often inconspicuous, but these are followed by clusters of small, shiny, red berries that ripen to black. These berries are a favourite food for many birds, making this plant a wonderful addition to any wildlife-friendly garden, and it's particularly well-known for its traditional uses, including for brewing beer!

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Distinguishing features:

  • Evergreen shrub or small tree.

  • Glossy, dark green leaves with finely serrated (toothed) margins.

  • Small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers.

  • Produces abundant clusters of small, shiny, red berries that ripen to black.

  • Young branches are often reddish.


Overall appearance: 

Rhamnus prinoides is a dense, evergreen shrub or small tree with a neat, rounded shape. Its attractive glossy foliage provides year-round interest, while its abundant red to black berries add splashes of colour and attract birds.


Height: 

Typically 2 m to 5 m tall, but can sometimes reach up to 7 m.


Width: 

Can spread 2 m to 4 m wide.


Leaves:

  • Simple, alternate arrangement.

  • Ovate (oval) to elliptic (elliptical) shape.

  • Length 20 mm to 70 mm.

  • Glossy, dark green on the upper surface, paler green below.

  • Margins are finely serrated (toothed).

  • Prominent veins on the underside.

  • Petioles (leaf stalks) are short, often reddish.


Flowers:

  • Small, inconspicuous.

  • Greenish-yellow.

  • Borne in small, axillary clusters (where the leaf meets the stem).

  • Appear almost all year round, but primarily spring to summer (August to February).


Flowering season: 

Almost year-round, primarily spring to summer (August to February).


Fruits:

  • Small, spherical drupes (berries).

  • About 4-6 mm in diameter.

  • Shiny, red when young, ripening to black.

  • Produced in abundance in clusters.

  • Ripen year-round, especially in autumn and winter (March to August).


Seeds:

Small, enclosed within the fruit.


Bark:

  • Smooth and greyish-brown when young.

  • Becomes rougher and darker with age.


Stems:

  • Young branches are often reddish.

  • Can be multi-stemmed.


Wood:

Hard, durable, and white to yellowish.


Roots:

Non-invasive, making it suitable for planting closer to structures and paving.


Soil type: 

Prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soils. Very adaptable to various soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils.


Aspect: 

Thrives in full sun to semi-shade. Tolerates coastal conditions, moderate frost, and can handle some drought once established.

Edibility:

  • The berries are edible, though not particularly palatable to humans, being slightly bitter.

  • The roots are traditionally used in Ethiopia for brewing a traditional beer called "tella" and "tej" (honey wine), acting as a fermenting agent.


Uses:

  • Horticultural: Excellent ornamental shrub or small tree for gardens. Ideal for informal hedging, screening, specimen planting, or container growing. Its non-invasive roots make it suitable near paving.

  • Wildlife attraction: The berries are a very important food source for many bird species, including sunbirds, thrushes, bulbuls, and starlings. Attracts insects for pollination.

  • Traditional Medicinal: Widely used in traditional medicine for various ailments, including stomach complaints, sprains, fractures, fevers, colds, and for strengthening bones. Leaves are used as a purgative and to treat rheumatism.

  • Traditional Brewing: Roots are a vital ingredient in traditional African beer brewing (e.g., "tella" in Ethiopia) and honey wine.


Ecology:

  • Bird food: The abundant berries provide a crucial food source for a wide variety of fruit-eating birds, which aid in seed dispersal.

  • Adaptable: Its ability to grow in various conditions (sun/shade, different soils, frost, drought) makes it a resilient species.

  • Habitat: Found in diverse habitats including evergreen forests, forest margins, bushveld, along streams, and in coastal areas. Often seen in rocky places.


Distribution and habitat:

  • Not endemic to South Africa. Widespread across Africa, found from Ethiopia southwards through East and Central Africa to South Africa.

  • In South Africa, it is found in all nine provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, and Western Cape.

  • Grows in evergreen forests, forest margins, riverine bush, rocky outcrops, and coastal areas, from sea level up to 2 400 m altitude.


Derivation of name:

  • The genus name Rhamnus is from the Greek word 'rhamnos', referring to a thorny bush, though R. prinoides is thornless.

  • The species name prinoides means 'resembling Prinus', possibly referring to its leaves resembling those of a small oak (Quercus ilex var. prinus).

  • Common names like "Blinkblaar" (Afrikaans) directly translate to "shiny-leaf," referring to its glossy foliage. "Dogwood" is a name applied to various trees.


Historical aspects: 

Rhamnus prinoides has a long history of traditional use across Africa, particularly for its medicinal properties and its role in brewing traditional beverages.


Interesting facts:

  • The Dogwood is nicknamed "Blinkblaar" (Afrikaans for "shiny-leaf") because its dark green leaves are super glossy and attractive all year round!

  • This plant is a bird magnet! Its small, shiny red berries ripen to black and are a favourite snack for tons of different bird species, making your garden a lively spot.

  • Believe it or not, the roots of this plant are used to brew traditional African beer in some places – how cool is that for a multi-talented shrub?

  • It's incredibly adaptable, happily growing in different light conditions, soil types, and can even handle a bit of frost and drought once it's settled in!


Growing tips:

  • Planting location: Rhamnus prinoides is a versatile plant perfect for gardens. Use it as a beautiful informal hedge, a screen, a specimen shrub, or as part of a mixed border. Its non-invasive roots mean it's safe to plant near paving or buildings.

  • Soil and watering: Prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil but is very adaptable to various soil types. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to ensure lush growth and abundant berries.

  • Aspect: Thrives in full sun to semi-shade. It tolerates coastal conditions and moderate frost once established.

  • Maintenance: Generally low maintenance. Can be pruned to shape it as a tree or to maintain it as a dense shrub or hedge.

  • Propagation: Easily grown from seed or cuttings. Seeds: Collect ripe berries, clean the seeds, and sow them fresh. Germination can be slow. Some sources suggest pre-treatment (scarification or cold stratification) for better germination rates. Cuttings: Take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer; they root well with rooting hormone.

This plant is a fantastic alternative for:

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Common name

Scientific Name

Plant type:

Plant type

Plant family:

Rhamnaceae (Greek and Latin plant name) - Order: Rosales

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