Common Spikethorn
Gymnosporia buxifolia
Historically, the long, sturdy thorns of this tree were used as pins and even as needles for sewing by early settlers and indigenous peoples.
- Scientific name
- Gymnosporia buxifolia
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Celastrales › Celastraceae › Gymnosporia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Savanna, thickets, and woodland margins, often in rocky terrain.
- Diet
- Autotroph (Photosynthesis)
- Range
- South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique
- Size
- 3 to 8 meters in height; typically a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree.
- Lifespan
- 40-70 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat conversion for agriculture and localized over-harvesting for traditional medicine.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless but possesses sharp thorns that can cause painful punctures. Wear sturdy clothing and boots when walking nearby. If skin is pierced, clean with antiseptic and monitor for infection.
Gymnosporia buxifolia is a species of plant in the family Celastraceae native to southern Africa. The common name is Common Spike-thorn .
Photo: Nicola van Berkel, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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