| Canthium inerme | |
|---|---|
| A medium-sized Turkeyberry Tree, growing in open bush in Cape Town. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Ixoroideae |
| Tribe: | Vanguerieae |
| Genus: | Canthium |
| Species: | C. inerme |
| Binomial name | |
| Canthium inerme (L.f.) Kuntze |
|
Canthium inerme (Turkey-berry) is a tough, adaptable medium-sized tree from South Africa. It bears small edible fruits and has a variety of uses in traditional medicine. [1]
It has a wide distribution, occurring from Cape Town in the south, along the eastern coast of South Africa as far as Mozambique and inland as far as Zimbabwe. This adaptable tree also occurs in a variety of habitats, ranging from afro-montane forest to coastal grassland and bushveld, and from sea-level up to 1700 m. In a garden, this tree attracts birds, while also serving as a possible security hedge. To assure a typical tree shape, prune off the lower branches.