Cliffortia ruscifolia

Cliffortia ruscifolia, the climber's friend, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. A 1 to 1.5 m tall shrub with painfully sharp leaves, it is found growing on rocks and cliffs, and it is a pioneer species of disturbed areas. It is prone to hairy white galls of unknown cause.

Subtaxa
The following varieties are accepted:
 * Cliffortia ruscifolia var. purpurea Weim. – southwestern Cape Provinces
 * Cliffortia ruscifolia var. ruscifolia – Cape Provinces