Gymnosporia buxifolia robust spines

Gymnosporia buxifolia may also look like this in the Little Karoo. This variable species presents some interesting features across its wide distribution in southern Africa.

This form leaves no doubt as to the capacity of its spines to inflict damage. G. buxifolia spines are sometimes slender. The leaves of the tree in picture show few signs of marginal teeth (Coates Palgrave, 2002).