Muraltia spinosa was for long known as Nylandtia spinosa and commonly as skilpadbessie (tortoise berry) in Afrikaans. It is a hard, thorny shrub with pink to lilac winter flowers, followed by spectacular translucent, fleshy fruit that turn yellow and later red. They are eaten by game and harvested by people as food or a thirst quencher.

The fruits are also used medicinally with those of Lebeckia multiflora in the treatment of colds, flu and bronchitis. Leaf infusions have also been used for tuberculosis and stomach disorders (Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000).