| Common Name: | Prickly Currant-bush |
| Synonym: | |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Size: | 2-4m x 1-1.5m |
| Description: | Erect open to dense shrub with fine spines on branches. |
| Leaves: | Small dull green elliptic leaves with thin texture and conspicuous network of veins below, 5-15mm x 2-5mm. |
| Flowering: | Single insignificant male & female flowers at the end of short branchlets on separate plants (dioecious). Sweet edible red fruit January to March. |
| Flower Colour: | Greenish |
| Flowering Time: | September to December |
| Growing Conditions: | Moist well drained soils in open forest, rainforest and gullies. Frost tolerant. Partial to full shade. |
| Garden Use: | Prickly habitat plant for shaded gardens including ferneries. Will spread readily in ideal conditions. Fruit can be added to salads. |
| Related Species: | |
| Plant Communities: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 25, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, 41, 43, 45, 46 |
| Conservation Status: | Widespread within the Shire |
| Aboriginal Use: | Food & medicine - fruit |
| Commercially available: | Australian plant & indigenous nurseries |
| Bird Attracting: | General - food and habitat |
| Butterfly Attracting: | No |
| Frog Habitat: | No |
| Photographer: | 1-4 Marilyn Gray ©; 5 Peter Kinchington © |