Pyrenacantha

Pyrenacantha is a genus of flowering plants in the family Icacinaceae. The genus is native to Africa, with most species found in southern Africa. These plants are typically woody vines or shrubs, often with a scrambling or climbing habit. They are characterized by their distinctive fruits, which are drupes with a hard, stony endocarp, resembling a small stone or pit, hence the genus name which combines Greek "pyrene" (stone) and "acantha" (thorn), though not all species have thorns.

The leaves of Pyrenacantha are usually simple, alternate, and can vary in shape from ovate to elliptic, with entire or slightly toothed margins. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, often greenish or yellowish, and are borne in axillary cymes or panicles. They are typically dioecious, meaning that individual plants are either male or female. The fruits, when mature, are often brightly colored, and their dispersal is thought to be aided by birds.

Species within the genus are adapted to a range of habitats, from arid scrublands to forests. Some species have medicinal uses attributed to them by local populations, although scientific research supporting these claims is limited. The taxonomy of Pyrenacantha has been subject to revision, with some species previously placed in this genus now assigned to other genera, and vice versa. This genus, while not widely cultivated, represents an interesting component of African flora, contributing to the biodiversity of its native regions.