Acokanthera oblongifolia (Bushman's Poison)

Acokanthera oblongifolia (Bushman's Poison) white flower cluster close up among deep green leaves.
Acokanthera oblongifolia (Bushman's Poison) white star-shaped flower cluster surrounded by smooth dark green foliage.

Botanical names: Acokanthera oblongifolia, Acokanthera spectabilis, Carissa spectabilis

Common names: Bushman's Poison, Wintersweet

Family: Apocynaceae

Origin: South Africa

Hardiness: 35°F

USDA Plant Hardiness MapLarge shrub 5-10 ft tallSemi-shadeFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWhite, off-white flowersToxic or PoisonousFragrant plant

This shrub is one of three members of the genus, Acokanthera. It belongs to the same family as many popular subtropical ornamental plants such as frangipani, allamanda and oleander, as well as the impala lily and num-num. This family is characterized by having sweetly scented flowers and sticky, milky sap which is very poisonous. The Bushman's poison is a hardy drought. It's a frost resistant, evergreen shrub that tolerates full sun but prefers shade, it also does well as a container plant.

Similar plants: Acokanthera oblongifolia (Bushman's Poison)


Acokanthera oblongifolia (Bushman's Poison) white flower cluster close up among thick dark green leaves
Acokanthera oblongifolia (Bushman's Poison) cluster of fragrant white flower petals against thick waxy green foliage
Acokanthera oblongifolia (Bushman's Poison) white flower clusters on green leaves close up plant
Acokanthera oblongifolia (Bushman's Poison) clusters of white star shaped flowers among thick green oval leaves
Acokanthera oblongifolia (Bushman's Poison, Wintersweet) - fragrant star-shaped flowers, white to pale pink, blooming in dense clusters.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/acokanthera_oblongifolia.htm