Carissa macrocarpa (Natal Plum)
Botanical Information
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Carissa |
| Species | macrocarpa |
| Category | Tropicals, Woody |
| Type | Shrub (evergreen) |
| Origin | Native to South Africa. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | The fruit is edible and can be eaten straight off the shrub or made into pies, jams, jellies and sauces. There are claims that the fruit is poisonous but it appears to be a myth. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 9b - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Cool season protection required under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H3 - H1c |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -3 - 5 |
| Temperature (°F) | 25 - 40 |
| Height | 1.8 - 2.4 m |
| Spread | 60 - 90 cm |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Spreading. |
| Landscape | Container planting. |
| Propagation | Seed, stem cuttings, softwood cuttings and semi-hardwood cuttings. |
| Cultivation | Full sun and partial-shade. Well-drained and moist soils with a pH of 6.1 - 7.8 (mildly acidic, neutral and mildly alkaline). Drought tolerant. |
| Habitat | Coastal bush. |
| Leaf Description | The leaves are small, oblong and come to a slightly curved point. |
| Flower Description | The flowers are 5-petaled that are long and thin and appears in somewhat of a star-shape with a perfume scent that intensifies at night, |
| Fruit Description | Ornamental plump, round fruit appears in summer and autumn at the same time as the blooms. |
| Colour Description | The leaves are deep green. The flowers are snowy white. The fruit is a crimson red. |
| Texture Description | The leaves have a shiny texture. |
Photographs
Carissa macrocarpa 'Tuttlei'