[2][3] African boxthorn is a large shrub which grows up to 5 metres (16 ft) high and is covered in spines.

The corolla is funnel-shaped with large, reflexed, pale purple lobes (petals).

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.

His description was based on plant material collected from Uitenhage in South Africa.