Myrsine africana (also called Cape myrtle, African boxwood or thakisa) is a species of shrub in the Primulaceae family. It is indigenous to Macaronesia, Africa and South Asia. It typically has dense, dark-green to red foliage and produces tiny bright purple berries. The hardy plant is long-lived. It is increasingly popular for topiaries and small hedges generally, as it can so readily be pruned and shaped. The shrub sends up occasional shoots from its root system that go on to form new plants. It propagates easily from seed.