Acokanthera Species, Bushman's Poison, Dune Poison-Bush, Wintersweet
Acokantheraoblongifolia

Family: Apocynaceae (a-pos-ih-NAY-see-ee)
Genus: Acokanthera (ak-oh-KAN-ther-uh)
Species: oblongifolia (ob-long-ee-FOH-lee-uh)

Synonym:Acokanthera spectabilis

Synonym:Carissa spectabilis

Synonym:Toxicophlaea spectabilis

Category
Shrubs

Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping

Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Shiny/Glossy

Foliage Color

Height
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)

Spacing
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow

Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color
Pale Pink

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Mid Spring

Other details

Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From seed; sow indoors before last frost

Seed Collecting
Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored