Carissa spinarum

Carissa spinarum, the conkerberry or bush plum, is a large shrub of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), widely distributed in tropical regions of Africa, Southern Asia, Australia, and various islands of the Indian Ocean. It is most well known in Australia, where it is also called currant bush or, more ambiguously, native currant or even black currant. It is, however, neither closely related to plums (Prunus) nor to true currants (Ribes), which belong to entirely different lineages of eudicots. In India, it is also called wild karanda/wild karavanda, referring to the related karanda (C. carandas). Carissa spinarum is often discussed under its many obsolete synonyms (see below). It grows as a multi-stemmed shrub, 0.5 to 3 m (1.6 to 9.8 ft) in height. The leaves are glossy green, opposite, narrow ovate to lanceolate and 1–5 cm (0.4–2.0 in) in length. The branches bear thorns of 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) length. White, star-shaped flowers about 1 cm (0.4 in) across are followed by ovate green berries, 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) in length, which turn black or dark purple when ripe.

Description

An evergreen shrub. It grows 5 m tall. It is thorny. It can be climbing. The leaves are narrowly oval and leathery and have soft hairs. The flowers are white and have a scent. They are in groups at the ends of branches. The fruit are red berries. They are about 1 cm across.

Edible Uses

Ripe fruit can be eaten raw or used for tarts, juice, and other preparations. Unripe fruit are used in pickles. The fruit is also used as a spice.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw or used for tarts. They are also used for juice, The unripe fruit are used in pickles.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The plant is well known in Africa for its anthelmintic action in both people and animals and the ground-up root as a remedy for venereal disease. The root is chewed and the saliva swallowed, the root-sap being considered tonic and restorative of virility. The plants are also used as ‘bitters’, macerated in rum, gin, etc. and as an expectorant. The root if crushed emits a strong smell of methyl salicylate and if rubbed onto the fingers produces a prickly sensation. Root-scrapings are used in the treatment of glandular inflammation (adenites). A root-decoction, combined with pimento, is used as an anthelmintic, especially against Taenia. The root is also used for treating chest-complaints, as a cough remedy, tonic and abortifacient. The root-bark is mixed with spices and used as an enema for lumbago and other pains. The leaf decoction is valued in the treatment of intermittent fever, diarrhoea, oral inflammation and earache. The boiled leaves are applied as a poultice to relieve toothache. The unripe fruit is rich in tannins and is used medicinally as an astringent. The ripe fruit is taken as an antiscorbutic and remedy for biliousness. The roots contain an active ingredient, 'carissin', that may prove useful in the treatment of cancer.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in dry regions. It can grow in arid places. It grows in south India. In the Himalayas it grows up to 6,000 m above sea level. It occurs in the Western Ghats in India. Rajasthan. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Cuba, East Africa, Ethiopia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Northeastern India, NW India, SE Asia, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. It is a good hedge plant.

Propagation

Seed - easy. Cuttings are easy. Air layering.

Other Uses

The bark contains a white latex of no recorded property. The roots are put into water-gourds to impart an agreeable taste to the water, or to disguise a strong smell. A piece of the root is sometimes fixed into a hut-roof as a snake-repellent. A paste of the pounded roots serves as a fly repellant. The fruits are a source of tannins, and have been used in dyeing. The white or yellow wood is hard, smooth and useful for fashioning spoons, combs, household utensils and miscellaneous products of turnery. The wood is used for fuel. The abundant branching habit and the presence of stiff spines to 5 cm long make the plant suitable for planting as a protective hedge.

Production

It flowers throughout the year.

Notes

There about 20-37 Carissa species. All Carissa species bear edible fruit. They grow in the tropics and subtropics. Leeuwenberg has put many Carissa into Carissa spinarum. This is not necessarily accepted.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Achuga, Acuga, Agam, Agama, Agasma, Agamisa, Agamsa, Agamta, Agempsa, Akamitta, Almi, Ambelto, Anka, Ankhukoli, Bon-karamcha, Chiru, Chiru-kila, Chothay kalakai, Dudkoli, Emuriel, Emuriet, Gama, Gan, Garaunda, Granda, Hagalcho, Hagamssa, Heen karamba, Jangli-Karaunda, Jugli karonda, Kalakai, Kalive chettu, Kalivi, Karamadika, Karamcha, Karanda, Karaunda, Karonda, Khanzat, Khunti, Kila, Kilatti, Kismis hitam, Kol, Lade, Muchakerech, Mukawa, Mutote, Ngawa, Ndote, Nzunu, Prom banla, Sana karenda, Sirakula, Sirukallakai, Soha, Titita

References (62)

• Addis, G., Asfaw, Z & Woldu, Z., 2013, Ethnobotany of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants of Konso Ethnic Community, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 11:121-141
• Addis, G., et al, 2013, The Role of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants in Household Food Sovereignty in Hamer and Konso Communities, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research & Applications. 11:251-271
• Alemneh, D., 2020, Ethnobotany of wild edible plants in Yilmana Densa and Quarit Districts of West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research & Applications. 20:47
• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 106 (Also as Carissa inermis)
• Ashagre, M., et al, 2016, Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Burji District, Segan Area Zone of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2016) 12:32

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