Nylandtia spinosa
“Tortoise Berry”

Nifty Nylandtia! When I first Googled this spiny stiff shrub I was not expecting profuse orchid-like pink flowers. But that is what you get when this odd shrub goes into bloom. Plus it produces edible fruit! Forming a shrub that is 3’ tall & wide & blooming for a long time (Fall-Spring) this plant gets literally covered in pink flowers. They develop into red fruit that are rich in Vitamin C & are apparently quite thirst quenching. Native to South Africa, the fruits of this shrub are enjoyed by tortoises & birds there. One can also chew a small amount of fermented leaves to aid in sleeplessness & a tea can be made from the leaves as a bitter digestive. Favors coastal locales & is drought tolerant. Deer resistant.

Kelly Kilpatrick
Propagator

photo:Liz Crane