Tortoise Berry
Muraltia spinosa
Muraltia spinosa by Danie Palm (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Full Sun
Moderate care
Light watering
Tender
H4-H1c
RHS hardiness
-10°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
1m | Max | 1m |
80cm | Min | 80cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has no fragrance
More images of Tortoise Berry
Tortoise Berry Overview
A striking flowering shrub that has a mass of purple, pink and white pea-like flowers throughout winter (Apr - Oct). It is a rounded shrub with spines on the tips of the branches and has small narrow deciduous leaves. The fruits are small and rounded red fleshy fruits that are edible when ripe. The fruits attract tortoises and other animals. It has a moderate growth rate and quite hardy (water-wise and frost resistant). This species was once classified and named as Nylandtia spinosa, however, recent analysis has reclassified it into the genus Muraltia. as published in the Sept. 21 publication of The Plant Review. (RHS).
Common problems with Tortoise Berry
Generally problem free.
Tortoise Berry Companion Plants
Other sand loving plants.
How to harvest Tortoise Berry
Grows best from seeds. Fruits can be eaten when red in colour.
How to propagate Tortoise Berry
Seed
Sow in spring; spacing 1 m apart at a depth 1.5 times deeper than the size of the seed. Germination takes 2-3 weeks.
Special features of Tortoise Berry
Attracts birds
Birds are attracted to the fruit.
Drought resistant
Attracts bees
Pioneer
Other uses of Tortoise Berry
Edible
The fruits are high in vitamin C and are thirst quenching.
Medicinal
Has a few traditional medicinal uses: cure for sleeplessness, abdominal pain, tuberculosis, bitter digestive, colds, flu's, bronchitis, malaria.
Ornamental
It makes a decorative garden shrub.
