Scutia myrtina is an evergreen shrub or small tree with spiny branches that can be scandent, straggling, or erect.
It can range in height from 1 - 5 metres tall.
The edible fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild for local use. The plant is grown as a hedge.

Known Hazards

None

Habitat

Forest understoreys, open places at low elevations in southern China.
Evergreen coastal scrub and in evergreen forest at higher altitudes in Africa.

Cultivation Status

Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics.
This species is very diverse in size, shape, and denticulation of the leaves.

Edible Uses

Fruit - astringent
The obovoid-globose fruit is 4 - 5 mm in diameter with a thin, fleshy pulp that contains two one-seeded stones.

Medicinal

The fruit is astringent.

Agroforestry Uses

Grown as a hedge plant.

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed