Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Geneesblaar, Goat bitter-apple, Poison apple, umThuma, Thola, Murulwa, Mtuma

Family: Solanaceae (Potato)

Distribution: Eastern South Africa, Swaziland

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

National red list: Least Concern

Comments: In rural areas the goat bitter-apple is in common use as a hedge or as living fencing material for retaining livestock. It is sometimes used as a windbreak. It is well suited for these purposes because of its fast growth, size and in particular its large, hooked prickles. As a result it is often found growing in thickets close to human dwellings.