Kingdom Plantae Family Primulaceae Scientific name Myrsine africana | Order Ericales Genus Myrsine Rank Species | |
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Similar Myrsine, Myrsinaceae, Aristolochia macrophylla, Brighamia insignis, Rapanea melanophloeos | ||
Myrsine africana (also called Cape myrtle, African boxwood or thakisa) is a species of shrub in the Primulaceae family. It is indigenous to Macaronesia, Africa and South Asia. It typically has dense, dark-green to red foliage and produces tiny bright purple berries.
The shrub can achieve heights of over 2 metres (6.6 ft) and may be dense if pruned or grown in strong sunlight. The fine-toothed leaves are at first deep red, but on maturity become glossy and dark green. The cream-coloured flowers appear in spring, with the male flowers boasting red anthers. Separate shrubs produce either male or female flowers, with the female plants also producing purple berries.
The hardy plant is long-lived. It is increasingly popular for topiaries and small hedges generally, as it can so readily be pruned and shaped.
The shrub sends up occasional shoots from its root system that go on to form new plants. It propagates easily from seed.
