A bush or small tree fairly common on hillsides and in kloofs near Pretoria and Johannesburg, A. oppositifolia has sometimes been preserved in Pretoria gardens. It is sparsely branched, with a crown of thick evergreen foliage. The plants contain latex (a characteristic of this family) in which alkaloids and glycosides occur. The flowers are white or tinged with pink and are sweetly scented. The fruit is a round or plum-shaped berry which turns purplish-black when ripe. Although the fruit is regarded as poisonous, many birds eat the fruit with apparent impunity. They disgorge the stones, which germinate freely. The species is said to be used for treatment of snake and spider-bite, stomach-ache, anthrax, toothache, colds and tapeworm. It is a good garden subject, withstanding considerable drought and frost and attracting birds. It is also used as a screening plant and can also be grown in containers.