The effect of including 20, 30, 40 and 50% Tarchonanthus camphoratus as the sole roughage in a finishing diet for limbs was investigated. Stems (with leaves), not exceeding 12,5 mm in diameter and 600 mm in length respectively, were harvested in June 1987 and milled through a 25-mm mesh screen. Additionally, the chemical composition of ten-month-old coppice shoots was determined. The chemical composition of T. camphoratus and shoots (indicated in brackets) on a dry-matter basis (%) was as follows: crude protein 5,65 (16,32); ether extract 3,70 (5,01); ash 4,73 (9,59); cellulose 44,42 (29,03); hemicellulose 9,78 (1,39); lignin 1,59 (3,70); calcium 0,17 (0,67); phosphorus 0,11 (0,63); potassium 0,16 (0,79). A significant (P < 0,05) reduction in the apparent digestibility of acid detergent fibre occurred when more maize was included in the diet. The inclusion of 40 and 50% T. camphoratus in the diet resulted in a significantly (P < 0,05) lower apparent digestibility of dry matter and gross energy as well as metabolizable energy content. Accordingly, metabolizable energy intake, daily live mass-gain and efficiency of feed conversion to live mass of lambs on these diets were significantly (P < 0,05) lower. No significant (P > 0,05) differences in nitrogen retention as a percentage of nitrogen intake, carcass mass and grading occurred between the various treatments. The results suggest that a maximum of approximately 30% T. camphoratus could be included in a finishing diet for lambs.