Description

Acokanthera – Wintersweet

There are about 7 species in this genus.  Derive form the warm climate from Southeastern Africa to south Arabia.  These evergreen shrubs or trees has poisons milky sap which been used to make poison arrows for the purpose of murder, accidental poison has been proved rare.  Cultivated for their ornamental value, 5 petaled tubular scented flowers are borne on previous year’s growth.  The leaves are arranged opposite.  Olive sized fruit drupes with a spongy milky flesh that is also poisonous.

Grow in full sun in well-drained moderately fertile soil.  Outdoor settings plants need little watering and tolerant salt laden winds and neglect.  Prune after flowering to prevent fruit and causes resprouting.

Prone to Mushroom root rot.

Acokanthera oblonifola ‘Variegata’  – Acokanthera spectabilis ‘Variegata’  – Carissa apectabilis ‘Variegata’  – Poison arrow plant – Grows 10-20’ feet tall 5-12’ feet wide.  It’s a dense spreading shrub with leathery, gray green, 4-5” long leaves, that are oblong to elliptical in shape with creamy variegations.  Leaves may turn purplish in winter.  It bears dense clusters of fragrant white ¾” flowers that are dull pink.  Spring and summer it bears olive sized fruit that are bright pink faintly striped.

Zones 9-11