About
Acokanthera oblongifolia is a medium-sized evergreen shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 4 meters. It features glossy, elongated dark green leaves that take on a purple hue in autumn. In spring and summer, it produces clusters of fragrant, star-shaped white flowers, which are succeeded by olive-shaped fruits that mature to a purple-black color. Commonly referred to as 'Bushman's Poison', this plant contains toxic sap that bushmen historically utilized to poison their arrows, and every part of the plant is considered highly toxic.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
- Fragrance
- Flower
- Toxicity
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs), Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained humus-rich soil in a warm, sunny location. Will tolerate coastal conditions and drought but will need protection from frost in winter
- Pruning
- Prune back after flowering. See pruning group 8
- Propagation
- Propagate by cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free