Carissa macrocarpa, Natal Plum. An ornamental shrub which can grow up to a small tree. Origin Natal region of South Africa. Common name Natal Plum. Belongs to Apocynaceae family. Phonetics- (Kar iss uh - Makro kar pa).
Can grow under full sun to partial shade. Evergreen, with dark green glossy leaves. Can grow up to Ht 6-8 feet. USA Hardiness zone- (9- 11). All parts are poisonous, if ingested less ripened edible berries. Soil ph mildly alkaline/ acidic or neutral. plum-shaped fruit, jam. Good Perennial hedge- dense overlapping leaves make a good screen and spines make it a reasonable barrier.
Growth rate is Moderate. Fruit in 2 years. Ripe fruit is slightly soft to the touch. These fruits ripen individually and not all at once. They persist on the plant after ripening. Heat drought tolerant. Propagation through Cutting, layering and seeds. Used as a low shrub or ground cover.
Bloom is white/ near white. Sweetly fragrant.
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| Flowers are star like |
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| Dense overlapping foliage. |
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| Garden use of mix with "Variegata". |
May you enjoy reading, viewing and growing this evergreen medium growth shrub. All photos have been taken by me, please.
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