[5][6] African boxthorn is a large shrub which grows up to 5 metres (16 ft) high and is covered in spines.

This latter character, the calyx that is at least two thirds of the length of the corolla, serves to distinguish this species from many of its relatives.

[1] The species was first formally described in 1854 by British botanist John Miers in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History.

[7] This species grows on dry, stony and/or sandy terrain,[8] such as sand dunes, cliffs, banks and roadsides.

[8][9] Its seeds are dispersed by small mammals and birds, which eat the red berries of this plant.