Boscia belongs to the caper family Capparaceae. Pickled capers are made from the unopened buds of European members of this family. The genus consists of about 8 species and was named for Louis Bosc (1759-1828), a French professor of agriculture who lived through the revolution.

Boscia foetida is a South African indigenous species from the Northern Cape Province. It is commonly known as Foetid Bush, Knoudoring, Noenieboom, Old Woman’s Bush, Oumeidbos, Oumeidebos, Oumeidsbos, Stink Shepherds-tree, Stinkbos, Stink-bush and Stinkdoring. It is synonymously known as Boscia rautanenii. It grows into large evergreen shrub or small tree with angular spiky branches and smooth pale grey bark. It has very small leathery leaves. During spring it bears small greenish flowers in clusters. These are followed by round yellowish fruit.