An evergreen tree growing to 15-23 m tall and 40-80 cm trunk diameter, with smooth grey bark. The leaves are 5-8 cm long and 2-4 cm broad, variable in shape; on young plants and low branches, with 3-5 sharp spines on each side, pointing alternately upward and downward; on higher branches of older trees with few or no spines except for the leaf tip, often entire. The flowers are dioecious, white, four-lobed. The fruit is a red berry 6-10 mm diameter, containing four seeds.

Diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge and tonic (leaves); emetic and purgative (berries); diuretic (root)

Plants for a Future

In the treatment of intermittent fevers, rheumatism, catarrh, pleurisy etc (leaves)