The genus Putterlickia is in the family Celastraceae in the major group Angiosperms.

Putterlickia pyracantha commonly known as False Spike-thorn or Mock Spike-thorn in English and Pendoring, Valspendoring, Vuurdoring, Wildegranaat, Wolwedoring, Baster-pendoring or Branddoring in Afrikaans is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. It is synonymously known as Catha campestris, Celastrus campestris, Celastrus obtusus and Celastrus pyracanthus. Putterlickia pyracantha grows in a shrub or small tree of 2 to 6 meters tall. It has red-brown bark and spiny branches. During summer it bears beautiful white flowers which are followed by attractive green capsules tinged with red. These contain yellow seeds.