It makes an excellent fast-growing hedge for gardens - growing tall, straight and dense.

The simply shaped, pointed, shiny-green leaves have wavy margins that are sometimes slightly serrated.

The tree can be identified by its purple or maroon leaf stalks and the leaves’ strongly impressed midribs.

The bright red fruits ripen in autumn, creating a colourful display and attracting a variety of birds.

It is usually found growing on the banks of rivers and in moist spots in Afro-montane forest, as low as sea level along the southern coast.

It is also found in high-elevation thickets, and in open-canopied forests in association with Podocarpus latifolius and Syzygium guineense.

schleibenii is threatened with habitat loss from forest clearance for timber harvesting and agriculture, and its conservation status is assessed as vulnerable.

It grows especially well in wet areas like beside lakes or rivers and it tolerates frost, making it suitable for colder climates.