Maytenus oleosa (Pondo Koko Tree) is a rare, willow-like, small tree in the Celastraceae family which is limited in habitat to lowland forests along the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape coasts, particularly where there are streams or rivers. It is commonly associated with Gymnosporia bachmannii. The species is threatened by habitat loss and agricultural activities. Efforts to conserve the tree are in place; it is a protected species in the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve and Mkambati Game Reserve, and several forest areas have been demarcated in the Transkei.