Acokanthera

Family: Apocynaceae
Common Name: Bushman's Poison, Winter Sweet

A dense shrub, Acokanthera has thick, leathery leaves and pleasant, sweet-smelling white flowers fol-lowed by small, oval, blackish purple fruit. In frost-free Climates these plants can be used effectively in shrub borders among finer textured foliage, but in colder Climates grow in pots or beds in a cool greenhouse or conservatory. All parts of the plant are poisonous if they are eaten.

Species

A. oblongifolia, a native of South Africa, has large green leaves which turn purplish in winter, sweetly perfumed white flowers from winter to spring and blackish fruit. It grows to 4 m (13 ft).

Cultivation

When growing in pots under glass use a well-drained soil-based potting compost. Plant in a warm, frost-free position, with protection from cold winds. Prune into shape after flowering. Propagate from seed sown in early spring.

Climate

Zone 10 and above.