Carissa bispinosa
(L.) Desf. ex Brenan
Fork-spined carissa
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Summary
Source: WikipediaCarissa bispinosa grows as a shrub or small tree up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall. Its fragrant flowers feature a white corolla. The fruit is red when ripe. Its habitat is woodland and forest from 1,080 m (3,540 ft) to 1,630 m (5,350 ft) elevation. Vernacular names for the plant include forest num-num and Y-thorned carissa. Carissa bispinosa is native an area from Uganda to South Africa.
Description
Normally a shrub. It can be partly a climber. It grows 3 m tall. It is evergreen, and spiny. The spines can have one or two forks. The leaves vary but are often egg shaped. They are 1-7 cm long by 0.8-3.5 cm wide. The tip has a small thorn-like point. Leaves are dark green above and paler underneath. The flowers are small and white. They have long tubes which flare out. They have a scent. They occur in clusters at the ends of twigs. The fruit are berries which are 1.6 cm long. They are purple-red. They contain 1-2 seeds. The fruit are bright red and edible.
Edible Uses
The fruit are eaten fresh, particularly by children, and are also used for drinks, as a flavouring, and as a preservative.
Traditional Uses
The fruit are eaten fresh. They are also used for drinks, as a flavouring and preservative.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
A tropical plant. It occurs at medium to low altitude in dry woodland and coastal scrub. It is also at the edges of evergreen forest. It is damaged by drought and frost. In Malawi the variety grows from 1,250-2,150 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.
Where It Grows
Africa, Australia, Botswana, Cuba, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa*, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, West Indies, Zimbabwe,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. It can be grown as a hedge.
Propagation
Seed - best sown fresh, but can also be stored for a while. Half-ripe cuttings with a heel.
Other Uses
Very amenable to trimming, the plant is often grown as a hedge.
Other Information
The fruit are eaten especially by children.
Notes
There about 20 Carissa species. All Carissa species bear edible fruit. They grow in the tropics and subtropics.
Nutrition
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 81.6 | 292 | 70 | 0.7 | — | 10.6 | 0.8 | 0.4 |
Synonyms
Also Known As
Amatungula, Dithokolo, Hedge Thorn, Isibetankunzi, Isincum'ncum', Lucondvo, Mfumba, Mfumbeli, Morokolo, Mulu, Murabamungu, Murayangombe, Murungulu, Mutogwe, Natal Plum, Noem noem, Num-num, Olyamliyak, Red numnum, Serokolo, Simboka, Umbethankunzi, Umbethamtunzu, Umvusankunzi, Voatsikopika, Y-thorned carissa, Yum-yum
References (40)
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