Carissa bispinosa subsp. zambesiensis

(L.) Desf. ex Brenan, Kupicha

Forest num-num

Apocynaceae Edible: Fruit 3,286 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Carissa 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

A shrub or small tree. It can grow 5 m tall. It has spines that are slender and often forked. These can be 3 cm long. The young stems and branches are green. The leaves are opposite and broadly oval. They are glossy green above and paler underneath. The flowers are in clusters at the ends of branches. They are white and 1.3 cm across. They have a sweet scent. The fruit is oval and 1.6 cm long. It is fleshy and red when ripe.

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in woodlands and on the edges of forests. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,080-1,630 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Notes

There about 20-37 Carissa species. All Carissa species bear edible fruit. They grow in the tropics and subtropics.

Synonyms

Carissa bispinosa (L.) Desf. ex Brennan var. acuminata sensu R. B. Drummond

Also Known As

Mudyabveni, Mudzambara, Mumbingwa, Murambamhunga, Muruguru, Mutsamviringa, UmBenthankunzi, UmVusankunzi

References (5)

Schmidt, E., Lotter, M., & McCleland, W., 2007, Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Jacana Media p 558
Swaziland's Flora Database http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora
Tredgold, M.H., 1986, Food Plants of Zimbabwe. Mambo Press. p 92
White, F., Dowsett-Lemaire, F. and Chapman, J. D., 2001, Evergreen Forest Flora of Malawi. Kew. p 137
www.zimbabweflora.co.zw 2011