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Carissa macrocarpa

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Carissa macrocarpa

Family Name: Apocynaceae
Synonyms: Carissa grandiflora
Common Name: Natal Plum

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution Coastal region of Natal, South Africa
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Evergreen woody shrub which spreads out as it grows. Both height and width can reach up to 4 - 5 m.
Foliage Green leaves, simple, opposite, elliptic to broadly ovate, usually thick and surface is waxy, measuring about 2 - 4 cm by 1.5 - 3 cm, leaf tips usually have a single thorn.
Stems Presence of stout, double pronged thorns (<5cm) on branches.
Flowers White, 5-lobed, tubular flowers approx 5 cm broad. Has a sweet fragrance.
Fruit Unripe fruit is green in colour and rich in latex. Colour changes gradually from green to bright red and then dark crimson when riped. Fruit is tender, juicy and contains milky sap. Fruit measures about 1.5 - 5 cm long and contains 3 - 10 brown seeds.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers)
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Coastal
Usage Hazard - Cons Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch, Toxic Upon Ingestion

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Bird-Attracting
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Alkaline high pH Soils
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Leathery
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem Sessile
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Apiculate

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) White
Flower Location Terminal, Cauliflorous
Individual Flower Shape Tubular

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Red
Mature Fruit Texture(s) Smooth
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type
Mature Seed Colour(s) Brown
Seed Quantity Per Fruit Moderate (6-10)

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 29352
Species ID 3661
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 14 October 2021.
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