Native to tropical Africa, its habitat is usually in transitional zones between deciduous woodlands and evergreen forest.

[1] Harrisonia abyssinica grows up to 6 metres (20 ft) tall with spines up to 2 centimetres (0.79 in) long on outgrowths on the branches.

[2] It flowers from August to November with white to yellow petals.

[3] The fruits are red to black, 4–9 centimetres (1.6–3.5 in) in diameter and edible.

[4] The roots and bark from the stem are used to treat gonorrhoea, dysentery and tuberculosis as well as an ascaricide.